“AMSL Aero, Stralis Benefit From World-first Fabrum liquid-hydrogen refuelling System”
New Zealand and Australian companies developing and deploying liquid-hydrogen technologies to enable Australasia’s first hydrogen-electric flights (HEF), have made a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission aviation, reports a press release.
The release explains, “Fabrum, AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft have successfully filled aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site for the first time, at the New Zealand Christchurch international airport in preparation for pre-flight testing.”
It continues, “Fabrum designed and manufactured the advanced composite liquid-hydrogen tanks for the two aircraft companies. The refuelling was successfully completed at the company’s dedicated liquid-hydrogen test facility at the airport.”
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Christopher Boyle, MD of Fabrum, commented, “Our lightweight composite tanks, together with our hydrogen liquefier and refuelling systems, are critical enablers for hydrogen-powered flight.”
He continued, “By bringing all the elements together for the first time on site at an international airport — producing, storing and dispensing liquid hydrogen into composite aviation tanks as a fuel — we’re proving that such technologies for aircraft are now available and that HEF will soon be a reality in Australasia.”
Christopher Boyle (Credit: Fabrum)
The company’s composite manufacturing techniques are the culmination of over two decades of R&D in the fields of cryogenics and composites. Its proprietary triple-skin liquid hydrogen tank technology provides enhanced thermal insulation and fast refuelling, compared to conventional double-skin tank designs, delivers up to 70 percent faster refuelling times and an 80 percent reduction in boil-off losses.
These tanks are to be installed on AMSL’s Vertiia aircraft for long-range flights. They store liquid hydrogen (with a boiling point much lower than room temperature). Using this fuel, Vertiia will achieve optimal range, payload and speed.
Dr Adriano Di Pietro, CEO of Sydney-based AMSL Aero, remarked, “Vertiia is the world’s first eVTOL designed from inception to be powered by hydrogen for long-range, cargo and passenger operations. Liquid hydrogen is the lightest zero-emission method of storing energy for long-distance flight which will enable a 1,000 km range, 500kg payload and 300 km/h cruising speed.”
Labrum’s triple-skin liquid hydrogen tank technology (Credit: Fabrum)
Meanwhile, Stralis Aircraft’s hydrogen-electric propulsion system are mounted on the wings of the company’s fixed-wing test aircraft.
Stralis expects this will enable travel up to ten times further than battery-electric alternatives and save 20 percent to 50 percent on operational costs compared to fossil fuel. Its first hydrogen test flight is expected within six months.”
Bob Criner, CEO of Brisbane-based Stralis Aircraft, said, ”We’re excited to see Fabrum’s hydrogen fuel dispensing systems for these onboard tanks proven out in testing. This is a vital step toward our first liquid hydrogen test flights.”
The three companies are members of the Hydrogen Flight Alliance in Australia.
AMSL Aero was recently awarded a grant from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC‑P) Program for a ‘Liquid Hydrogen Powered Aircraft for Regional and Remote Australia’ project, with Fabrum among the collaborators.
Stralis Aircraft (Credit: Stralis)
The parties have also received support from Ara Ake, New Zealand’s future energy centre, to fast-track hydrogen technology.
Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. With a specific energy more than three times higher than sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and over 100 times greater than batteries, hydrogen can offer a credible alternative for aviation.
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(Top image: AMSL Aero Vertiia)
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