To advance the necessary technology, a high-pressure cryogenic test rig has been designed and built at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions' Bridgwater facility in the UK.
Trelleborg and Airbus collaborate on advanced Hydrogen Sealing for ZEROe Aircraft, enhancing low-carbon flight technologies.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has partnered with Airbus to advance hydrogen sealing applications. This collaboration supports Airbus’s mission to deliver a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. Trelleborg is developing safe and reliable seals for the hydrogen propulsion systems of the ZEROe concept aircraft. Consequently, this partnership enables Airbus to explore various configurations and hydrogen technologies, shaping the future of low-carbon flight.
Torben Anderson, Trelleborg Director Aerospace, said, “We are proud and excited to be working on such an important project. Air travel is responsible for around 2.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and we are delighted to be helping Airbus deliver its ambition of decarbonizing air travel which matches our goal to lower our carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Hydrogen provides an opportunity to make flying a more sustainable mode of transport but as the smallest molecule typically used in cryogenic conditions it presents significant sealing challenges. Trelleborg is bringing all its experience as a leading global supplier of sealing solutions to the ZEROe project.”
To advance the necessary technology, a high-pressure cryogenic test rig has been designed and built at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions’ Bridgwater facility in the UK. As a recognized center of excellence, Bridgwater specializes in the renowned metal Wills Rings and Variseal spring-energized seals used in the oil and gas industry. Consequently, it is an ideal location for developing seals for the fluid and gaseous hydrogen that will power future Airbus aircraft.
Peter Bashford, Product Leader at Bridgwater, said, “Initial testing of Wills Rings demonstrates they provide near 100% sealing of gas in cryogenic conditions.Trials of more flexible polymer materials at low temperatures are continuing, mapping their material properties for the finite element analysis studies required for each design. Initial testing has yielded several very promising sealing concepts and we are confident we will deliver a leap forward in the understanding of cryogenic sealing technology.”
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Airbus is developing various low-carbon propulsion technologies to shape the future of air travel. These include hydrogen-powered aircraft using electric fuel cells, direct combustion gas turbines, or hybrid systems. All these concepts rely on hydrogen as the primary fuel source. Although the environmental benefits of hydrogen are well-documented, the technical challenges to achieving practical and safe solutions are emerging.
Q. – What is the goal of Trelleborg and Airbus’s partnership?
A. – To advance hydrogen sealing applications.
Q. – When is Airbus aiming to deliver a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft?
A. – By 2035.
