Electric airplanes.....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

And you thought this was another one of those....



http://www.ecofriendlymag.com/sustainable-transporation-and-alternative-fuel/hydrogen-fuel-cell-airplane-in-european-union-ready-for-takeoff/



The Italians and European Union are preparing a light 2-seat airplane for takeoff powered by hydrogen fuel cell and lithium ion batteries. I’ve talked about manned hydrogen fuel cell airplanes before, with and without the aid of lithium ion batteries.

The Rapid 200-FC hydrogen fuel cell manned airplane has an electric 40 kW propeller and a 20 kW hydrogen fuel cell, made by British company Intelligent Energy. The fuel cell airplane also contains a 20 kW lithium polymer battery pack to add more power for takeoffs.

The hybrid fuel cell airplane has a couple of advantages over a conventional small plane. First, the hydrogen plane is a zero emissions vehicle that emits only water and heat as byproducts. Second, the FCV airplane is very quite.

Because of noise abatement issues, some airports limit the amount and size of airplanes that can takeoff and land especially at night. Near where I live all airplanes are barred from taking off after 9 pm. This kind of quite small plane would fit into the low noise mandate on airports such as this and expand the flying time for pilots and their companies.

[leveymg]

1. Interesting. What's the speed and range?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. I don't know about the one in the OP however, this little gem

can fly all day long.

http://www.livescience.com/technology/091013-ion-tiger.html
The U.S. Navy has developed a hydrogen-powered aircraft that can fly for nearly an entire day without refueling.

During a test flight last week, the Ion Tiger, an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), stayed airborne for approximately 23 hours and 17 minutes, setting an unofficial endurance record for a flight powered by fuel-cell technology.

Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with only water and heat as byproducts. The electric fuel cell propulsion system onboard the aircraft features a 550-Watt (0.75 horsepower) fuel cell that researchers say is 4 times more efficient than a comparable internal combustion engine. The Ion Tiger weighs approximately 37 pounds and carries a 4- to 5-pound payload.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Hydrogen and aircraft don't always mix well...

;)

Just kidding, of course - I think it's a great idea for general aviation aircraft.:thumbsup:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. There are several modicums available for safe hydrogen storage

without the need for high pressure vessels... and that there vehicle in your pic had a facsimile of rocket fuel for the lining that it was covered with

[Kaleva]

5. An improvement over the rubber band powered aircraft.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Shocking reaction to green innovation. Shocking I tell you. n/'t

[kristopher]

7. Where do you plan to get the H2?

[madokie]

8. a gasifier is an excellent source for hydrogen

about 20% of the gas stream is hydrogen. I know a gasifier is not possible on an airplane but it is a good source of hydrogen.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. Why it's simple my dear watson....

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10423745-54.html


The route to clean energy is through small gadgets, according to Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies.

The company said Monday that it will show off the HydroFill, a home-use fuel cell system suitable for charging small electronics, at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. The product is set for release later in 2010.

The HydroFill extracts hydrogen gas from water and stores it in Hydrostik cartridges with a metal alloy that absorbs the hydrogen. To then charge electronic devices, people use a pocket-size fuel cell charger, called a MiniPak, which pulls hydrogen from the cartridges and a produces an electrical current. The MiniPak can charge devices through a USB port and cell phone adapter, and the company offers an optional AA-battery charger.