Cardiff researchers join consortium effort to power zero-emission flight

A new liquid hydrogen fuel system is being developed by a team of industry and academic experts to fly next generation aircraft with zero emissions in the 2030s.

The team will develop, test and validate a modular, scalable cryogenic hydrogen fuel system for use onboard multiple aircraft classes and compatible with either hydrogen electric propulsion or hydrogen combustion engines.

The HyFIVE consortium, led by Marshall Aerospace brings together industry partners GKN Aerospace and Parker Meggitt with academic expertise from Cardiff University and the Universities of Manchester and Bath.

Announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, the consortium will receive initial funding of £40 million.

The project is supported by the ATI Programme, a partnership between the Department for Business and Trade, Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK.

Dr Rukshan Navaratne, the Principal Investigator for HyFIVE at Cardiff University, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this industry academic collaboration and excited to contribute to this groundbreaking technology development, which is critical to achieve UK’s Jet Zero targets.

“The HyFIVE project is also a great opportunity to enhance the research and development capabilities here at Cardiff University’s newly developed Aerospace Propulsion Centre and Flying Laboratory at St Athan.”

The collaboration will cover five key aspects of technology development for hydrogen fuel systems: storage, conveyance, indication, fuelling and venting.

The full technical programme begins with initial architecture development and supp  lier engagement and runs through to ground testing and final design review for the integrated fuel system.

HyFIVE is structured to take advantage of each partner’s unique capabilities with each selected for their world-leading research capabilities and advanced testing facilities in areas such as hydrogen-electric propulsion, cryogenic applications, power transmission, turbomachinery and next-generation material development.

“In addition, we are investigating possible solutions to avoid any contrail formation when the aircrafts release water as a byproduct of hydrogen fuel consumption,” added Dr Navaratne, who is currently leading aerospace research at the School of Engineering.

The project will also develop a supply chain of SMEs to undertake specialised challenges around testing, engineering support and component development, supporting UK industry while also laying the groundwork for future supply chain capability development.

Professor Damian Walford Davies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: “Powering net zero aviation is one of the grand challenges facing our planet. The way in which we move passengers, products and perishables across our globalised world is unsustainable, contributing as it does to the climate crisis. We therefore welcome the efforts of the HyFIVE initiative to change this.”

Jacqueline Castle, Chief Technology Officer of the Aerospace Technology Institute, added: “The HyFIVE programme is primed to solve the significant technical, safety, certification and industrialisation challenges associated with the application of LH2 in aviation and those identified by our FlyZero programme and Destination Zero strategy.

“The HyFIVE team will work in parallel with key regulatory frameworks and infrastructure projects, including the ATI’s own Hydrogen Capability Network, to ensure the UK maximises the gains from such a significant industrial research project.”