Trelleborg Sealing Solutions kooperiert mit Airbus bei Wasserstoffdichtungsanwendungen und unterstützt damit die Mission, bis 2035 ein wasserstoffbetriebenes Verkehrsflugzeug zu liefern.

(WK-intern) – Trelleborg entwickelt sichere und zuverlässige Dichtungen für die Wasserstoffantriebssysteme des Konzeptflugzeugs ZEROe und ermöglicht Airbus damit die Erforschung einer Vielzahl von Konfigurationen und Wasserstofftechnologien, die die Zukunft des kohlenstoffarmen Fliegens prägen werden.

Torben Anderson, Trelleborg Director Aerospace, sagt: „Wir sind stolz und freuen uns, an einem so wichtigen Projekt mitarbeiten zu dürfen.

Flugreisen sind für rund 2,5 Prozent der Treibhausgasemissionen verantwortlich und wir freuen uns, Airbus dabei zu unterstützen, sein Ziel der Dekarbonisierung des Flugverkehrs zu erreichen, das unserem Ziel entspricht, unsere Kohlenstoffemissionen im Einklang mit dem Pariser Abkommen zu senken.

„Wasserstoff bietet die Möglichkeit, das Fliegen zu einem nachhaltigeren Transportmittel zu machen, aber als kleinstes Molekül, das normalerweise unter kryogenen Bedingungen verwendet wird, stellt es erhebliche Dichtungsprobleme dar. Trelleborg bringt seine gesamte Erfahrung als weltweit führender Anbieter von Dichtungslösungen in das ZEROe-Projekt ein.“

Trelleborg Partners with Airbus on Hydrogen-Powered Air Travel

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions partners with Airbus for hydrogen sealing applications supporting the mission to deliver a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035.

Trelleborg is developing safe and reliable seals for the hydrogen propulsion systems of the ZEROe concept aircraft, enabling Airbus to explore a variety of configurations and hydrogen technologies that will shape the future of low-carbon flight.

Torben Anderson, Trelleborg Director Aerospace, says: “We are proud and excited to be working on such an important project. Air travel is responsible for around 2.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and we are delighted to be helping Airbus deliver its ambition of decarbonizing air travel which matches our goal to lower our carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

“Hydrogen provides an opportunity to make flying a more sustainable mode of transport but as the smallest molecule typically used in cryogenic conditions it presents significant sealing challenges. Trelleborg is bringing all its experience as a leading global supplier of sealing solutions to the ZEROe project.”

To develop the necessary technology, a high-pressure cryogenic test rig has been designed and built at the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Bridgwater facility in the UK. As a recognized center of excellence for the well-known metal Wills Rings® and Variseal® spring-energized seals widely used by the oil & gas industry, Bridgwater is a natural location for developing seals for the fluid or gaseous hydrogen that will power future Airbus aircraft.

Peter Bashford, Product Leader at Bridgwater, says: “Initial testing of Wills Rings® demonstrates they provide near 100% sealing of gas in cryogenic conditions. Trials of more flexible polymer materials at low temperatures are continuing, mapping their material properties for the finite element analysis studies required for each design.

“Initial testing has yielded several very promising sealing concepts and we are confident we will deliver a leap forward both in the understanding of cryogenic sealing technology.”

Airbus is developing a variety of low-carbon propulsion technologies and configurations that will shape the future of air travel. Whether the next hydrogen-powered aircraft is powered by electric fuel cell, direct combustion gas turbine or a hybrid combination of both, these concepts all use hydrogen as the base fuel source. While the environmental benefits of using hydrogen as a fuel source are well documented, the technical challenges that need to be overcome to achieve a practical and safe solution are only now becoming apparent.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions will be at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hall 1 at stand 1115 from July 22 to 26. Please visit us at the show for a discussion about our aerospace hydrogen solutions or other aerospace capabilities. If you would like to arrange an interview away from the show please contact Paul.Ravenscroft@Trelleborg.com.

Find out more about Trelleborg solutions for hydrogen in aerospace: Polymer Solutions for Hydrogen Aircraft brochure

About Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Group

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is one of the world’s leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of precision seals, bearings and custom-molded polymer components. It focuses on meeting the most demanding needs of aerospace, automotive, healthcare & medical and general industrial customers. The company’s global network encompasses over 40 production facilities, more than 60 Customer Solution Centers, more than 15 R&D centers and two Customer Innovation Centers. It accelerates the progress of its customers through outstanding local support, an unrivalled product range including patented products and proprietary materials, a portfolio of established brands, unique process offerings, its ServicePLUS value chain solution and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ philosophy.www.trelleborg.com/seals

Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that protect critical applications in demanding environments. Its innovative solutions accelerate performance for customers in a sustainable way. In 2023, the Trelleborg Group had annual sales of approximately SEK 34 billion in around 40 countries. The Group comprises three business areas: Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Medical Solutions. The Trelleborg share has been listed on the Stock Exchange since 1964 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap. www.trelleborg.com

PR: Trelleborg Group

PB: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is working with Airbus on hydrogen sealing applications supporting the mission to deliver a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. Global aircraft manufacturers are developing entirely new passenger aircraft designs optimized for hydrogen propulsion (example pictured).