Bristol firm at forefront of work to make aviation more sustainable

A new partnership is delivering a ground-based, end-to-end liquid hydrogen fuel system infrastructure that’s said to be a “game-changer” for the future of aviation.

Filton Systems Engineering (FSE) and New Zealand-based Fabrum are supporting GKN Aerospace to develop the technology that is expected to shift the industry in a more sustainable direction.

The collaboration leverages FSE’s aerospace capability in fuel systems and designing fuel, air, hydraulic, inerting and engine systems as well as Fabrum’s cryogenic and fuel tank storage technology and expertise in hydrogen fuel systems.

It brings Bristol further to the forefront as a leader in hydrogen flight activity and comes as the Bradley Stoke-based company upgrades its existing fuel test facility to  offer both gaseous and liquid hydrogen in a “world-first commercial test environment”.

Ben Richardson, the commercial director for FSE explains: “We’ve combined our world-leading aerospace expertise in fuel system and equipment design and certification with Fabrum’s unique and complementary expertise to achieve significant liquid hydrogen milestones.

“We looked globally for the best people to help us shift aviation towards a hydrogen future, and Fabrum is an ideal partner as they’re the best at what they do in the world. Together, we’ve already delivered breakthrough test facilities with ready access to hydrogen on-site and on-demand.

“We see this as a vital asset to the aerospace, and other industrial sectors, if hydrogen is going to be developed as an alternate fuel source. There is now a facility in the UK where product development can be performed safely with a continuous supply of liquid hydrogen.”

Those leading the project say the new system demonstrates the feasibility of liquid hydrogen as an aircraft fuel source and addresses many of the safety concerns raised by the introduction of such a novel fuel.

Storage and dispensing technologies have been developed alongside optimised purging systems and integrated fuel tank design with distribution on aircraft.

The test facilities enable aerospace companies to produce and test liquid hydrogen as a fuel for hydrogen test flights, with FSE providing further support towards certification for flight status.

Fabrum liquid hydrogen unit is expected to shift the industry in a more sustainable direction – photo: Fabrum/ Shine PR

The Fabrum team, who developed the ground-based end-to-end liquid hydrogen production solution for the test facility, are planning further upgrades to include removing dependence on gaseous hydrogen supply.

Fabrum’s CEO, Dr Ojas Mahapatra, says: “The successful adoption of zero-emission fuels requires both ground-based infrastructure development for liquid hydrogen provisioning at airports and aircraft that will use it.

“Point-of-use liquid hydrogen production is the most economical short to medium-term solution to enable zero emission flight.

“We’ve already proven our ground hydrogen fuel solutions for small and medium-scale hydrogen production. Now, with FSE, we’re taking these refuelling solutions to the aviation industry – right through to the onboard fuel cell.”

The company’s managing director and co-founder Christopher Boyle adds: “Our technologies are a game-changer for aviation innovators and researchers – as we’re enabling liquid hydrogen production on-demand as close as possible to the point of use, storage, and containment.

“This is a paradigm shift from liquid hydrogen produced at large-scale plants and transported to the site of use.”

Main photo: Fabrum/ Shine Group PR

Read more: UK’s first hydrogen ecosystem in the West

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