The U.S. Department of Energy has selected aerospace conglomerate Raytheon Technologies for testing the use of hydrogen and ammonia as clean power sources.
One of the two research and development projects will see Raytheon using hydrogen and hydrogen blends as fuel sources to operate Mitsubishi Power Aero's FT4000 gas turbine unit, which is a land-based version of Raytheon subsidiary Pratt & Whitney's PW4000 turbofan aircraft engine (pictured).
The hydrogen fuel test will complement another U.S. DOE-backed project – Hydrogen Steam Injected, Inter-Cooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) which is led by Pratt & Whitney. HySIITE focuses on the development of hydrogen-fueled propulsion technology fit for single-aisle commercial aircraft.
"Hydrogen has an important role to play in enabling the aviation industry's pathway to net zero emissions, and we are focused on developing technologies to maximize the potential opportunities that this zero-carbon fuel source provides," Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President for Engineering and Technology at Pratt & Whitney said.
Additionally, Raytheon will work with the University of Connecticut School of Engineering on another U.S. DOE-supported project to test ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel option for power-generating turbines. Ammonia, which is mostly composed of hydrogen, is a much promising clean fuel option as it is easier to store, requires much less refrigeration in comparison to hydrogen, and already has a production and transportation infrastructure in place.
Andreas Roelofs, Director of the Raytheon Technology Research Center said, "These projects are the latest examples of how we're partnering with the Department of Energy to innovate the technologies that will power a cleaner, more sustainable future."
Many energy planners are attracted to hydrogen for its energy density and zero carbon emissions combination. Ammonia is viewed as an alternative either to carry hydrogen in a more stable form or a standalone fuel.
Numerous companies around the world are investing in pilot projects with hydrogen and/or ammonia. Among those are oil producer bp and newer firms such as Fortescue Future Industries.
