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Rolls-Royce has filed a patent for a new hydrogen fuel system designed for gas turbine engines, marking another step in the aviation industry's search for cleaner propulsion technologies. The proposed system aims to address some of the main challenges associated with using liquid hydrogen as an aircraft fuel, particularly its need for storage at extremely low temperatures and its volatile combustion characteristics.
According to Rolls-Royce's patent application, the design features a main fuel conduit with a pump that delivers pressurized hydrogen to the engine’s core combustor. It also includes an auxiliary combustor that burns a small portion of the hydrogen to pre-heat the rest before it enters the engine. This approach is intended to create a more stable and efficient combustion process.
Hydrogen is seen as one of the cleanest potential fuels for aviation, emitting only water vapor when used in fuel cells. However, it presents practical difficulties: it requires larger storage volumes than traditional jet fuel and must be kept at -253°C, necessitating specially insulated tanks that take up significant space on aircraft. This complicates both aircraft design and airport infrastructure needs.
