![]() This comprises a boil-off heater, a 3D metal printed heat exchanger and a pressure regulator. Once the liquid hydrogen is available and ready to be fuelled in vehicles, the next essential step is to design the system on the drone for transforming the liquid hydrogen into electricity in the fuel cells known as hydrogen conditioning system. Hosam and the team are just waiting for the last permit to start building the infrastructures at the NLR site in Noordoostpolder, which should be issued very soon. In actual fact, understanding the requirements for storing and distributing small amounts of liquid hydrogen resulted in an intertwined net of safety, regulatory and technical obstacles which needed to be overcome. Therefore, the process appeared to be straightforward. Currently, not many national laws are in place regarding the storage and facilitation of small amounts of liquid hydrogen. “The main challenge faced was finding advice on the implementation of the infrastructure safely and in accordance with national laws”, Hosam explains. ![]() Hosam Ebrahim is responsible for developing the new liquid hydrogen ground infrastructures at NLR. The first step was to look into the practical implications of having hydrogen on the NLR premises. “Nonetheless, the results obtained in the first year reflect the knowledge, expertise and dedication of the team. “The project started as a small exercise, conducted internally at NLR with a limited budget”, clarifies Bert Thuis, Head of the Department of Structures and Technologies and project leader. The NLR project team kicked off at the beginning of 2021. This mirrors NLR’s multidisciplinary strengths. Several developments followed and, as first attempt in the Netherlands, NLR wants to integrate all different aspects and challenges related to the usage of liquid hydrogen: from propulsion systems to the infrastructures needed, by redesigning key structural components such as the tanks. In 2019, NLR flew its HYDRA-1 drone with hydrogen gas as its energy source. Many initiatives are ongoing in relation to the implementation of hydrogen – in its gaseous and liquid forms – as energy source for aviation, both in the Netherlands and worldwide. As the end of this year approaches, the NLR project team looks back at the challenges faced and celebrates its achievements. At the beginning of 2021 NLR initiated an ambitious project with a view to flying its HYDRA-2 drone using liquid hydrogen in a full composite tank by the end of 2022.
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