Actual size
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will use hydrogen fuel cells to augment its internal electrical system on its A320. Since it’s a fuel cell, the only waste product will be water, which in turn will be used for the plane’s own ends. The generated water means aircraft won’t have to take additional water with them, thereby lowering weight and saving fuel.
/me waits for “wasn’t the Hindenburg using hydrogen?” jokes.
Airbus Develops Fuel Cells For In-flight Power [DailyTech]
sweet, will this addition delay it only another 2 years from its 2006 release date?
The A320 has been around since ‘88
…Didn’t the Hindenburg use hydrogen?
On the more positive side – what a great idea. Recycling to it’s utmost and saving energy costs as well.
Bah. These fuel cells will have the hydrogen safely in pressure canisters designed to hold hydrogen harmless. The Hindenberg was a huge, flammable, fibrous envelope painted with thermite and inflated with the stuff. I don’t think you could have found two dissimilar examples of the uses of hydrogen in aviation if you had actually worked at it.
Baloney,
It takes more energy to isolate hydrogen from water or wherever you get it than you can ever get back.