HESTIA - HydrogEn combuSTion In Aero engines

The goal set out in the European Green Deal that civil aviation must be climate-neutral by 2050 means that intensive research into renewable fuels for engine utilisation is required. As a gaseous fuel, hydrogen offers a potential alternative to liquid synthetic fuels due to its high gravimetric energy density and CO2 emission-free combustion, as well as its good integration into the constantly expanding sustainable energy infrastructure.

As part of the European-funded HESTIA (Hydrogen Combustion in Aero Engines) project, 6 engine manufacturers and 18 university research partners are working on identifying the combustion chamber-specific challenges of hydrogen combustion in aircraft engines and generating detailed knowledge to counter these problems. The ITV is involved in the design and experimental investigation of various hydrogen injection variants in order to generate the most advantageous flame stabilisation possible. The investigation is carried out using modern laser spectroscopic measurement methods and regular exhaust gas measurement technology in order to take the behaviour of the flame into account in the iterative design process.