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KittyBizkit t1_iya7ffg wrote

I highly doubt this would be more efficient than using the hydrogen in a fuel cell and running an electric motor with it. I would love to be proven wrong though if anyone has a credible source.

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NellikFPV t1_iyb4mvv wrote

After a quick bit of Googling it seems commercial fuel cell efficiencies are around the 60% mark (minus electrical losses) with room to improve. Modern jet engine thermal efficiencies are generally around 50-55%. So yeah fuel cell probably could win but would essentially require re-engineering the entire propulsion system. Faster/cheaper to just adapt and recertify exiting engine designs and focus all that engineering effort on designing/certifying aircraft to carry cryogenic/10,000psi hydrogen tanks!.

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Dav3le3 t1_iybyl2r wrote

Might also be lighter for the same engine power.

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