Cryogenic hydrogen fuel system for aircraft turbines tested at -423°F

Engineers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have conducted pioneering cryogenic tests on a novel liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel delivery system designed for future aircraft turbines. These evaluations took place at DLR’s Future Propulsion Test Facility in Cologne, reaching temperatures as low as -423°F (-253°C), the point at which hydrogen liquefies. The primary focus was on safely transporting liquid hydrogen from onboard tanks to aircraft engines, a critical and technically challenging step for hydrogen-powered aviation. The tests achieved Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4), validating key components and prototypes in a lab environment. The data collected will inform computer simulations to adapt the system for real-world aircraft operations. Liquid hydrogen is considered a promising aviation fuel due to its zero carbon dioxide emissions when burned. While DLR previously demonstrated safe combustion of 100% gaseous hydrogen in aircraft engines, the storage and delivery of hydrogen remain complex because it requires extremely low temperatures and stable conditions throughout the fuel system under varying flight