Two Australian companies that are developing hydrogen-powered aircraft have successfully registered a family of liquid hydrogen tanks, which will be used for refuelling, enabling zero-emission flights across the country.
AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft have registered the tanks, known as “Dewar vessels”, in collaboration with BOC Australia. Dewar vessels operate like supersized thermos flasks; they contain a vacuum that insulates super-cold liquid hydrogen. BOC Australia, a Linde company, has led the registration process, laying the foundation for Australia’s first liquid hydrogen flight test programs.
The tanks are crucial for the transportation and storage of liquid hydrogen, and for aircraft refuelling. Using the 30 kg capacity Dewars, which are the first of this capacity to arrive in Australia, AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft will transport liquid hydrogen from production plants to their aircraft.
Simon Coburn, a Hydrogen Systems Engineer at AMSL Aero, which designs and manufactures the zero-emission aircraft Vertiia (pictured above) said: “There is now a strong global consensus about liquid hydrogen as an aviation fuel. AMSL Aero is delighted to help build another link in a liquid hydrogen supply chain for Australian aviation alongside BOC and Stralis.”
Stuart Johnstone, CTO and Cofounder of Stralis Aircraft, said: “This is a key step forward for hydrogen-electric aircraft in Australia, enabling liquid hydrogen refuelling for ground and flying demonstrator aircraft, and supporting development of a liquid hydrogen supply chain in Australia for future commercial flights.”
Chris Dolman, Business Development Manager, Clean Energy at BOC Region South Pacific, said: “BOC has a long history of working with hydrogen in Australia. It’s always exciting to see innovation and new applications emerge, and we’re pleased to be able to support efforts like these to unlock new opportunities.”
