The prospects for liquid hydrogen fueled aircraft

Because the world's annual production of petroleum is expected to peak in the 1990 decade, alternative energy sources and fuels must be developed. Due to the global nature of its requirements selection of an alternate fuel for transport aircraft is a special problem: the fuel must be producible or available anywhere in the world.This requirement can be met by liquid hydrogen because it can be produced from water using any locally available energy source. It does not depend on the availability of fossil resources. Using conventional production technologies LH₂ may cost more per unit energy than hydrocarbon alternatives; however, because of their weight advantage, LH₂ aircraft are more efficient and their direct operating cost is competitive. With advanced technologies which have been identified, it is shown that LH₂ can provide cost and energy advantages.A program plan to develop LH₂ technology on an international basis has been proposed which can provide for timely introduction of LH₂ as a fuel for transport aircraft.