Universal Hydrogen is a hydrogen fuel services provider. The company uses unique modular hydrogen capsule technology. It successfully completed an initial operational demonstration of exchanging its proprietary modular hydrogen capsules on its ATR-72 test aircraft.
Hydrogen-based flights are possible through a flexible, scalable and cost-efficient approach to hydrogen-based logistics. Universal Hydrogen transports hydrogen using modular hydrogen capsules over existing transport networks. These networks should transport the modules from sustainable production sites to airports worldwide.
Hydrogen capsules
Personnel exchange hydrogen modules using existing aircraft cargo handling equipment. New infrastructure is therefore not required for the exchange of the hydrogen modules. They are very light and designed to be mounted on the back of the aircraft's fuselage.
Demonstration on ATR-72
At the end of October, Universal Hydrogen demonstrated loading and unloading its modular hydrogen capsules into aircraft for the first time in a demonstration on the ATR-72. There was a lot of interest in the demonstration in Toulouse, France. Airlines, airports, official authorities and OEMs belonging to the Airport Compatibility of Alternative Aviation Fuels Task Force (ACAAF TF) attended the demonstration. This group is supported by the Airport Council International World (ACI) and promotes the implementation of new technology at airports.
Successful result
A turnaround procedure was simulated during the demonstration. This was to demonstrate what replacing hydrogen capsules would look like in reality. Thanks to close cooperation between Toulouse Blagnac Airport, its safety and security partners and the ground handling company, Groupe 3S, which is responsible for ground operations, the demonstration could be carried out smoothly and successfully.
New step towards zero-emissions
"Many airports around the world already use hydrogen on a daily basis, but in most cases it is for ground-level operations such as shuttle buses. Today, we have taken a step towards hydrogen as a possibility in daily operations at airports worldwide. The opportunities underline the impact our modular hydrogen capsule technology has on our industry," said Arnaud Namer, COO of Universal Hydrogen. "With no additional airport infrastructure required to enable modular hydrogen fuelling, we are confident in our advantage for the immediate and cost-effective transition to true zero-emissions."
Source and image: Universal Hydrogen
See also: Universal Hydrogen carries out test flight with a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft
