ITP Aero conducts hydrogen combustion tests on an aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) at its centre in Ajalvir, Madrid.

ITP Aero has successfully conducted its first hydrogen combustion tests on an aircraft engine APU (Auxiliary Power Unit). To do so, the company designed and developed all the fuel and control systems required to ensure the operation ran smoothly and safely. The tests were conducted at the ITP Aero centre in Ajalvir, Madrid, following all the safety requirements associated with the use of hydrogen.

An APU is an independent engine that provides power to the aircraft's systems when the main engines are not running. Its primary function is to power ventilation and other electrical systems, and to keep the main engines warm to prevent cold starts.

The tests are part of the CHALUPA project (Use of Liquid-Based Hydrogen in Auxiliary Power Units), the objective of which is to integrate various architectures of cryogenic liquid hydrogen-powered APUs into an aircraft. ITP Aero is also working on other projects geared towards decarbonising the aeronautical sector using disruptive technologies that enable more sustainable air transport systems. The CRIPICOM (Cryogenics, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Combustion in Air Transport) project is looking to develop fuel cell technology to produce a first demonstrator including power electronics systems, an electric motor and a propulsion element (propeller or compressor). Meanwhile, the APERTURAS (Advances in Electric Propulsion with Turbomachinery) project is looking to achieve different variants of zero-emission electric propulsion systems ranging from 70 to 700 kilowatts.

Source: ITP Aero