In an article published in Science, a group of specialists analyzed the Earth’s capacity to contain natural reserves of this renewable, carbon-free fuel.
“It’s absolutely incredible and truly exponential,” he told Science geologist Alain Prinzhofer, lead author of the Mali paper and scientific director of GEO4U, an oil and gas services company based in Brazil. Dozens of new companies, many in Australia, are competing for exploration rights to find hydrogen reserves.
In 2022, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists established the first committee on natural hydrogen andUSGS has begun its first efforts to identify areas likely to produce this resource in the United States. “We are only at the beginning, but it will happen quickly,” said Vyacheslav Zgonnik, CEO of Natural Hydrogen Energy, cited by Science.
There startup completed the first hydrogen well in the United States, specifically in Nebraska, in 2019. Hydrogen is a more than tempting option as a clean, carbon-free fuel. Various governments have already become aware of its potential and are presenting it as a way to combat global warming by replacing fossil fuels. In this context, the first Spanish liquid hydrogen engine has arrived.
The first liquid hydrogen engine is already a fact: its range of 20,000 km is impressive.
Destinus has reached an important milestone in the development of its H-engine supersonic aircraft program. Its achievement consists of successfully igniting and starting a gaseous hydrogen turbojet (GH2) during a session at its production facilities. Payerne, Switzerland.
After months of preparation, Destinus reached this major milestone by successfully igniting its H engine prototype. startup explains that Spanish participation was crucial to achieve this.
“The test collected data, validated power and combustion system models, instrumentation strategies, and the design and manufacturing process of injectors using 3D printed alloys. engine demonstrated high stability, with repeated firings of exceptional consistency and precision, which matched expectations set by internal calculation tools,” the company said, according to Flynews.
The next step is to increase its speed, running it at idle (about 50% of maximum engine speed) and at maximum takeoff power. These are comprehensive tests aimed at validating the technologies developed and understanding the behavior of the system with H as fuel. It is especially important to understand it from the point of view of the combustion system and fuel supply.
Destinus sets a precedent for the industry, as the information gleaned from it will be essential for the development of systems and related tests, such as those involving cryogenic LH2 (liquid hydrogen) or a dedicated hydrogen afterburner, designed to the Destinus-3 demonstrator.
The hydrogen engine: a revolution for aviation
Last year, the company announced that it planned to have one of its prototypes flying by 2024. With that in mind, it wants to have the plane in service by 2030. The company would thus be five years ahead of the objective set by Airbus.
Plácido Márquez, CEO of Destinus Spain, spoke to the aforementioned media outlet during the Paris Air Show in June 2023, and described the third prototype of the aircraft as something “much more utilitarian, with more possibilities, which already has the engine and the actual tank, wiring, etc. inside “. The model of this prototype was made in Spain, and it is the basis of the aircraft that will fly in 2024, most likely in Spain, at CEUS, the Centro de Ensayos Para Sistemas No Tripulados, in Huelva.”
It should be noted that Spain is where the company’s largest office is located, with more than 50 employees. Destiny is also established in other countries, such as Switzerland, Germany and France. In summary, the first Spanish liquid hydrogen engine will be a revolution for the aviation sector. If you liked this article, be sure to discover the extent of the 2,700 hp engine without liquid fuel.