Convertible cryogenic fuel model tested in Russia

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In addition to the undoubted practical benefits, aviation can harm the environment. Aviation kerosene combustion products pollute the atmosphere.





Russian scientists from the Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) have developed a model of a light convertible aircraft that does not use aviation kerosene. Instead, liquefied natural gas, which is a more environmentally friendly fuel, is used. But the difficulty in using LNG lies in its low temperature - 162 degrees below zero.

Therefore, the tank for cryogenic fuel must be thermally insulated and have a cylindrical or spherical shape. In the new aircraft, the fuel tank is mounted on profiled racks above the fuselage.

At the moment, the model of the aircraft has been tested in a wind tunnel. As expected, the location of the tank slightly worsened the aerodynamic properties, but did not require significant structural changes. So far, the behavior of the aircraft during takeoff and landing has not been sufficiently studied.

The new aircraft is capable of carrying up to 50 passengers or 1,5 tons of cargo. Its cruising speed will be 480 kilometers per hour. It is planned to replace it with the An-24 and An-26 on local and regional routes.
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  1. Monster_Fat
    Monster_Fat
    0
    1 July 2018 08: 08
    "Contaminate" .... what about burning oxygen? considering the reduction in forest area? Already, now, oxygen in the atmosphere is 1% less than it was at the beginning of the twentieth century.
  2. Kerensky
    Kerensky
    0
    2 July 2018 16: 27
    Well blowing in the pipe model is one thing. And fencing a network of gas stations for aircraft is a little different.
    1. Kuzmitsky
      Kuzmitsky
      +1
      2 July 2018 22: 53
      It was not the pioneers in the circle that blew through the pipe, but specialists from TsAGI. And refueling is needed only at airports where these planes will be operated.
      And that's right, it is only a project so far, even the model is still being tested, and production has not yet been deployed. Only after all tests will it be clear whether such an aircraft will appear or the project will be minimized.
  3. Elephant
    Elephant
    0
    3 July 2018 14: 37
    And why in a conventional gas lighter, where there is liquefied propane or butane, there are no difficulties in use, there are no problems with the shape of the cylinder and temperature? Something TsAGI is clearly muddying here!