French Companies Successfully Test Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Gas Turbine Engine for Light Aviation
Key Ideas
- Turbotech, Safran, and Air Liquide have completed ground demonstration testing of a hydrogen fuel gas turbine aero engine for light aviation.
- The engine is based on an ultra-efficient regenerative cycle and fed from a liquid hydrogen tank, showcasing advancements in decarbonised aircraft propulsion.
- The successful demonstration represents a significant step towards fully decarbonised aircraft propulsion, awaiting mass production of green hydrogen for implementation.
- The joint research project, BeautHyFuel, aims to design and ground test a hydrogen propulsion system rated for light aviation, showcasing a collaborative effort in the aerospace industry.
In a significant development, three French companies, Turbotech, Safran, and Air Liquide, have successfully completed ground demonstration testing of the first liquid hydrogen fuel gas turbine engine for light aviation. This groundbreaking achievement, which took place in September 2024, signifies a major milestone in the transition towards fully decarbonised aircraft propulsion. The engine, based on an ultra-efficient regenerative cycle and powered by a liquid hydrogen tank, marks a remarkable advancement in sustainable aviation technology. The project, supported by the French government and involving Turbotech, Elixir Aircraft, Safran, Air Liquide, and Daher through the BeautHyFuel joint research initiative established in June 2022, aims to design and ground test a hydrogen propulsion system tailored for light aviation. With successful ground demonstration testing and a focus on achieving energy density comparable to conventional fuels, this project highlights the collaborative efforts within the aerospace industry towards a greener future in aviation.