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August 10, 2009 03:51 PM
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http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/04/hydrogen-plane.jpg
Boeing Phantom Works prototype during its first fly.
According to Boeing, which recently made the first flight of a manned hydrogen powered airplane in history, electric planes will not be capable of transporting large passengers in the near future.
But still they are going into big lengths to assure this technology will be introduced in commercial aviation and committing on efficient aircraft and cheaper energy.
"gizmodo.com" on First Flight of Manned Hydrogen Airplane:
---Quote---
Boeing flew the first hydrogen-powered manned flight in aviation history on April 3, 2008 over the skies of Madrid, Spain. The aircraft built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional propeller.
The aircraft was capable of climbing to 3,300 feet using only electricity. The energy efficiency of these hydrogen cells is double the efficiency of combustion engines and the only byproduct is water. The airplane cruised for 20 minutes at 62mph using only hydrogen cells. The bad news, however, is that this technology may never reach large passenger airplanes. It is difficult to project the energy savings in big aircrafts, but in small airplanes the fuel savings will be important.
PEM fuel cell technology potentially could power small manned and unmanned air vehicles. Over the longer term, solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes.
The good news is that Boeing Research & Technology Europe in Madrid - part of Boeing Phantom Works advanced R&D unit - will keep researching to see how much these cells can be pushed for commercial aviation. A sign that aircraft companies are working to make their planes more efficient because airlines are fighting in prices and, therefore, they need cheaper flights. The objective of Boeing and other companies is to get more efficient planes that use cheaper energy sources.
---Quote---
Source(s):
http://gizmodo.com/375911/first-flight-of-manned-hydrogen+powered-airplane-...
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There do exist ultralight craft, some of which use solar cells rather than batteries, but these are hobbyist craft. They couldn't get significant weights off the ground, not the kind that make up large passenger aircraft. They're also very expensive, using top-of-the-line lightweight batteries.
Electric planes also tend to be slow. Current ones are prop planes; they couldn't get jet-engine speeds. Electric rocket engines like ion engines exist, but they have poor specific thrust, and couldn't get you off the ground. (They're great for taking probes to other planets.)
Never say never when it comes to technology. Hydrogen fuel cells may be capable of carrying fuel in a relatively lightweight form. Many people are working on improving batteries, and a breakthrough could happen at any time.
Just don't expect anything in the forseeable future.
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davepamn
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Will electric planes be capable of transporting large passenger counts thousands of miles?
When will the first electric planes become commercial?
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Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| August 11, 2009 02:25 AM |
Boeing Phantom Works prototype during its first fly.
According to Boeing, which recently made the first flight of a manned hydrogen powered airplane in history, electric planes will not be capable of transporting large passengers in the near future.
But still they are going into big lengths to assure this technology will be introduced in commercial aviation and committing on efficient aircraft and cheaper energy.
"gizmodo.com" on First Flight of Manned Hydrogen Airplane:
---Quote---
Boeing flew the first hydrogen-powered manned flight in aviation history on April 3, 2008 over the skies of Madrid, Spain. The aircraft built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional propeller.
The aircraft was capable of climbing to 3,300 feet using only electricity. The energy efficiency of these hydrogen cells is double the efficiency of combustion engines and the only byproduct is water. The airplane cruised for 20 minutes at 62mph using only hydrogen cells. The bad news, however, is that this technology may never reach large passenger airplanes. It is difficult to project the energy savings in big aircrafts, but in small airplanes the fuel savings will be important.
PEM fuel cell technology potentially could power small manned and unmanned air vehicles. Over the longer term, solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes.
The good news is that Boeing Research & Technology Europe in Madrid - part of Boeing Phantom Works advanced R&D unit - will keep researching to see how much these cells can be pushed for commercial aviation. A sign that aircraft companies are working to make their planes more efficient because airlines are fighting in prices and, therefore, they need cheaper flights. The objective of Boeing and other companies is to get more efficient planes that use cheaper energy sources.
---Quote---
Source(s):
http://gizmodo.com/375911/first-flight-of-manned-hydrogen+powered-airplane-...
| Asker's Rating: |
• PEM technology is improving. Material science has already reduce cost and increased efficiency significantly. Companies like Johnson Matthey, Oxford University Fuel Cell uses enzymes found in nature, and GM Hy-Wire claims 100 mph without gas.
PEM technology is expensive, for now, but competition and innovation will bring the cost within range of the consumer.
PEM technology is expensive, for now, but competition and innovation will bring the cost within range of the consumer.
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Other Answers (2)
August 10, 2009 10:29 PM
Not soon. Electricity has a poor weight-to-energy ratio, because electricity has to be stored in batteries. Hybrid cars have to carry hundreds of pounds of batteries with them. Weight matters even more for airplanes than for cars, which can just roll the weight. There do exist ultralight craft, some of which use solar cells rather than batteries, but these are hobbyist craft. They couldn't get significant weights off the ground, not the kind that make up large passenger aircraft. They're also very expensive, using top-of-the-line lightweight batteries.
Electric planes also tend to be slow. Current ones are prop planes; they couldn't get jet-engine speeds. Electric rocket engines like ion engines exist, but they have poor specific thrust, and couldn't get you off the ground. (They're great for taking probes to other planets.)
Never say never when it comes to technology. Hydrogen fuel cells may be capable of carrying fuel in a relatively lightweight form. Many people are working on improving batteries, and a breakthrough could happen at any time.
Just don't expect anything in the forseeable future.
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davepamn
August 10, 2009 11:09 PM
I was thinking about a hydrogen hydrate system and fuel cell power generator. The hydrogen is in a solid form that is chemically separated and run through a fuel cell. If the PEM costs decreases thousand fold which it seems to be moving towards, an EV plane may be possible and cost effective.
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