Universal Hydrogen Successfully Completes First Flight of Hydrogen Regional Airliner

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Hydrogen Safety

Hydrogen’s intrinsic properties make it safer than jet fuel

Density
@ 1 atm, 20°C (kg/m3)
Jet Fuel
~800
Hydrogen
0.084
 
Hydrogen is 15x lighter than air and rises quickly
Leaks will propagate away from their source and then disperse, unlike pooling jet fuel.
Burn velocity in air (m/s)
Jet Fuel
~0.2
Hydrogen
~3
 
Hydrogen fires burn very quickly
Limiting potential damage/injury to surrounding structures and people.
Thermal energy radiated to surroundings (%)
Jet Fuel
36
Hydrogen
21
 
Hydrogen flames emit less radiative heat
Reducing the risk of secondary fires in the unlikely event of ignition.

Hydrogen 86 years ago in a blimp has no bearing on the safety of modern hydrogen airplanes

Then

Hydrogen leaked from a lifting “cell” and went completely undetected

Now

Hydrogen is monitored using on module safety systems such as ventilation, leak detection, and temperature / pressure sensing

Then

A spark coming in contact with a flammable concentration of hydrogen in air likely caused the fire

Now

Hydrogen is stored in cryogenic tanks to prevent flammable concentration in air (4%-74%).

Then

Carries ~ 16,600 kilograms of hydrogen to provide lift

Now

Carries ~400 kilograms of hydrogen for only propulsion & power

Then

The Hindenburg was not the first hydrogen airship accident - these aircraft had a dubious safety record prior to 1937

Now

Modern aircraft are rigorously certified to ensure catastrophic failures are virtually impossible - a hydrogen aircraft will be no different

Hydrogen cars which are on the roads in California have undergone extensive testing and have proven safety record

3 SEC
GASOLINE
H2
60 SEC
GASOLINE
H2
90 SEC
GASOLINE
H2