English Français Magazine Energy transition Air Liquide and Solar Impulse: creativity around oxygen Air Liquide and Solar Impulse Creativity around oxygen THE PROJECT SI2, FLYING LABORATORY PROVIDE OXYGEN TO THE PILOT THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES For human beings, oxygen is life. The Solar Impulse pilot flies his plane at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. Making sure he has oxygen thus becomes vital. Air Liquide puts its savoir-faire to work. An adventure whose aim is to show that clean technologies can change the world Solar Impulse brings numerous technologies together to serve a vision: an aircraft, which would fly nonstop around the world without fuel. Founded by two Swiss pioneers, this project’s fascinating draw comes both from the spirit of exploration and science of the Piccard family, which produced Chairman Bertrand Piccard, and the managerial, technophile and humanist strand of its CEO, André Borschberg. The first prototype, Solar Impulse 1 (Si1), came to light in 2009 and completed its maiden night flight in 2010, demonstrating the validity of clean and renewable technologies. With the support of several major companies and strong partnerships, the project solidified and a series of successes ensued: after flights in Europe, Morocco and United States. In 2015, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) began its fly around the world in Abu Dhabi, its departure point. What is Solar Impulse? Solar Impulse 2, a flying laboratory Solar Impulse gets its energy from the Sun and must be able to fly for 5 days – and nights! – to cross over oceans unassisted. And doing so will mean a genuine test bench for clean technologies. 269.5 m² of solar panels covering the wings generate energy. Charged during the day, the batteries take over when darkness falls. In order to navigate during 14 hours of darkness, the flight’s cycle was studied and adapted: Solar Impulse can climb as high as 9,000 meters during the light phase and thus gain 4 hours of gliding, with the engines throttled down. Only when the plane reaches an altitude of 1,500 meters does it begin to use the energy stored during the day. Lastly, it is impossible to talk about Solar Impulse without mentioning its feather weight: 2.3 tons fully loaded, which is the weight of a van! Yet it has to be robust in the face of wind, rain, pressure, light, and temperature. The cockpit was a real challenge as well. Its unheated and non-pressurized 3.8 m³ must house instruments, provisions, and survival gear while providing the pilot a functional and ergonomic living space, since he may be spending up to 6 days there! Maximum airspeed: 140 km/h Wingspan: 236ft Solar panel 269.5 m² Provide oxygen to the pilot A partner of choice for the aviation industry for many decades, it was natural that the company became official supporter of the project in 2013, via Air Liquide advanced Business & Technologies. Air Liquide provides several thousand liters of aeronautic oxygen; a vital oxygen for the pilot at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. Very pure, like its therapeutic counterpart, it is also very dry. Usually a disadvantage – because dry oxygen is less comfortable – here this is an advantage. There is no risk of freezing despite the conditions that may prevail in the Si2 cockpit. Weight: 2,300 kg Maximum cruising altitude: 9,000 m Living space for the pilot: 3.8 m³ André Borschberg in the Solar Impulse cockpit - Copyright: Solar Impulse 1/4 July 26, 2016: an historic day After a break of several months in Hawaii, Solar Impulse continued its journey across the United States and the Atlantic ocean, before flying over the Mediterranean sea. The 17th and last flight came to Bertrand Piccard who left Cairo (Egypt) to join Abu Dhabi. Solar Impulse has completed its world tour July 26, 2016 having traveled more than 40,000 km. Air Liquide has provided aviation oxygen loading and supplied all the relays along the route. The team is proud to have taken part in such an adventure. TESTIMONIAL “We share a common desire with the creators of Solar Impulse to develop cleaner energy. True to its pioneering spirit, Air Liquide Group has chosen to take part in this fantastic adventure.” Pierre-Étienne Franc, Air Liquide advanced Business & Technologies Vice President Publications Cryoscope, The Air Liquide Advanced Technologies Magazine PDF - 2.02 MB Download Solar Impulse, Log Book 1st Part PDF - 5.69 MB Download LATEST TWEETS FROM SOLAR IMPULSE View feed The first #Hydrogen💧-Electric⚡️commercial flight✈️and more - November #SolutionsUpdate. @ZeroAvia, @flatpacksolar, @CCmTechUK, @BrainBoxAi, @Synhelion #beyond1000solutions https://t.co/Hq7eZf25Ta SOLAR IMPULSE November 24, 2021 The #DelhiPollution in India is in part related to the burning of crop residue. Our Solutions Explorer finds at least 9 solutions related to Agri waste management that can be implemented today, such as @TransformWaste. SOLAR IMPULSE November 18, 2021 Tonight 18:30 - Register to join the panel discussion with in Geneva. https://t.co/gf9SR068U0 SOLAR IMPULSE Article published on November 05, 2017 Share this on Read more stories Hydrogen and biomethane, the mobility revolution Naturally gas! How biomethane is playing a key role in the UK energy mix Hydrogen, a new era for aviation Back to The magazine of the Air Liquide Group A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. AIR LIQUIDE WORLDWIDE Please select Angola Antilles Argentina Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Benin Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cameroon Canada Chile Colombia Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Egypt Eswatini Finland France French Guiana Gabon Germany Ghana India Indonesia Ireland Italy Ivory Coast Japan Kazakhstan Korea Kuwait Luxembourg Madagascar Mainland China Malaysia Mali Mexico Morocco Mozambique Namibia Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Paraguay Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taïwan Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America Uruguay Vietnam Gas encyclopedia Safety data sheets (SDS) Air Liquide Foundation Contact us CONNECT WITH US © Air Liquide 2021 Legal noticeCookie policyCreditsAccessibilitySitemap Manage cookies