Hydrogen storage solution triples range of UAVs
Polar Technology is using this month’s Farnborough Airshow to debut a hydrogen storage solution that promises to triple the range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The new cylinder is claimed to achieve class-leading 7.5 per cent weight efficiency and has a water volume of 14.4l. The cylinder operates at 350bar pressure, which Eynsham-based Polar Technology said is the result of a super-thin-wall liner. Furthermore, the new cylinder holds 25 per cent more fuel without an increase in weight.
To demonstrate the impact of the new cylinder, Polar Technology has teamed up with Intelligent Energy, a Loughborough-based hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer.
As well as tripling UAV range, the hydrogen fuel cells emit no CO2 compared to IC engine alternatives and generate less vibrations and noise.
These fuel cell powered UAVs have applications across numerous industries from energy - where they are used for surveying power lines and offshore wind infrastructure - to logistics and delivery services. The increased range and flight time of the Polar Technology and Intelligent Energy system could replace boats, helicopters and other vehicles that are more expensive and carbon intensive.
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