Two Australian companies developing hydrogen-powered aircraft have registered a family of 30kg-capacity liquid hydrogen tanks, enabling zero-emission flights across the country.

AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft registered the tanks, called Dewar vessels, in collaboration with BOC Australia. Dewars work like large thermos flasks, using a vacuum to insulate super-cold liquid hydrogen. The tanks are the first of this size to arrive in Australia and will be used to transport hydrogen from production sites to aircraft for refuelling.

BOC, a Linde company, led the registration process and is supporting test flights by laying the groundwork for liquid hydrogen use in aviation.

Simon Coburn, hydrogen systems engineer at AMSL Aero, says: “There is now a strong global consensus about liquid hydrogen as an aviation fuel. AMSL Aero is delighted to help build another link in a liquid hydrogen supply chain for Australian aviation alongside BOC and Stralis.”

Stuart Johnstone, CTO and co-founder of Stralis Aircraft, adds: “This is a key step forward for hydrogen-electric aircraft in Australia, enabling liquid hydrogen refuelling for ground and flying demonstrator aircraft, and supporting development of a liquid hydrogen supply chain in Australia for future commercial flights.”

Chris Dolman, BOC’s business development manager, clean energy, says: “BOC has a long history of working with hydrogen in Australia. It's always exciting to see innovation and new applications emerge, and we're pleased to be able to support efforts like these to unlock new opportunities.”