Tupolev is continuing research on cryogenic fuel tanks for its Tu-204 and Tu-334 twinjet airliners. It is also researching an innovative design of a twin-turboprop Tu-136 transport, with the layout determined by cryogenic fuel considerations.
It is planned to conduct aerodynamic tests of the Tu-136 model in the TsAGI windtunnel. Tupolev technical director Valery Solozobov says the project is backed by Gazprom, Russia's natural gas extracting monopoly. The transport, with two fuel tanks in long pods carried next to the fuselage, would be powered by two Klimov TV7-117-class turboprops.
Lev Lanovsky, Tu-204 chief designer, says the cryogenic fuel Tu-206 derivative would retain jet fuel tanks and would have an additional liquid natural gas tank, with 20-24t capacity, in a dorsal fairing over the fuselage. The design bureau has carried out experiments of a composite tank, and Lanovsky says that safety questions have been resolved. He says that the Tu-206 would have the same range - about 5,000km (2,700nm) - as that of the jet kerosene fuelled version, but would provide better economical efficiency.
Source: Flight International
