The project UNTILFinanced with over 3 million euros from the program HORIZON EUROPEAims at innovative tanks to use hydrogen in commercial aviation and power to zero emissions. In the Fifteen Partner Consortium from eight different countries including Italians Enea, CNR, La Sapienza and University of Niccolò Cusano studies
Sustainable aviation takes off with hydrogen
Reducing the environmental impact of air traffic is one of the great challenges of the ecological transition. To respond to this need comes UNTILa European project financed by the program Horizon Europe With over 3 million euros, which brings together fifteen partners from eight countries – including giants such as Airbus and Ariane Group – to develop technologies capable of using hydrogen liquid as aeronautical fuel.
Italy is present with a prominent scientific contribution: Enea, CNR, Sapienza University of Rome and University of Studies Niccolò Cusano participate in the project with a key role in research and technological development.
Why really the hydrogen in aviation?
Liquid hydrogen represents one of the most promising solutions for the decarbonisation of aviation. Unlike kerosene, current standard fuel, it does not produce CO₂ emissions: the product of its combustion is only water vapor. A radical change that could significantly break down the environmental impact of the line planes.
But the use of aviation liquid hydrogen is not easy or immediate. It requires advanced technologies for storage on board, capable of maintaining fuel at extreme cryogenic temperatures (−252.87 ° C) and to accurately manage its complex physical dynamics during the flight.
The challenge of the perfect tank to use hydrogen in aviation
The heart of the Hasta project is precisely the development of an innovative tank for liquid hydrogen, capable of guaranteeing safety, efficiency and compatibility with the needs of civil aviation.
One of the most delicate phenomena to face is sloshing: the movement of the liquid within the tank caused by flight stresses. This movement can generate sudden changes in pressure and temperature, with potential risks for the safety and stability of the system.
To deal with this part of the project is ENEA, which will lead advanced simulations with supercomputer to analyze the thermo-phluidodynamic behavior of liquid hydrogen in the tanks in real flight conditions.
From the digital twin to the royal flight
The final goal is ambitious: to create an experimental digital model of the tank, capable of simulating all operating condition, up to developing a physical prototype to be integrated into future hydrogen aircraft.
This approach is part of the so -called strategy “digital twin”, That is, a virtual twin that allows you to test every technical and safety aspect before the real construction. A methodology already used in the spatial field, now ready to take to the track also for civil aviation.
A space fuel for terrestrial flights
Liquid hydrogen is not new in the field of aerospace engineering: it is already used in space rockets, where energy efficiency is crucial. Transferring its use to commercial aviation means making this technology accessible, safe and sustainable even for everyday flights.
The main advantage? A drastic reduction in climbing emissions. But the challenges, as already mentioned, remain: conservation, management, materials and geometries of the tanks must be completely rethought.
A step towards the future at zero emissions
With Hasta, Europe takes a decisive step forward towards zero impact aviation. If the energy transition concerns many sectors, the aeronautical one is among the most difficult to convert. But, thanks to an international synergy between industries and research centers, hydrogen could soon plow the skies, bringing not only passengers with it, but also a new idea of high altitude sustainability.