Hydrogen-Powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Gas Turbine System for Aeronautical Application

authored by: Daniel Kierbel, Tanja Neuland, Paul Emile Roux, Pedro Nehter, Jan Hollmann, Cagatay Necati Dagli, Pascal Köhler, Stephan Kabelac, Arvind Gangoli Rao, Francesca de Domenico, Maurice Hoogreef, Linder Van Biert, Feijia Yin, Cecile Rossignol, Laurent Dessemond, Marlu Cesar Steil, Philipp Maas, Florian Winter, Christopher Warsch, Santiago Salas Ventura, Matthias Metten, Marc P. Heddrich, S. Asif Ansar
Abstract: HYLENA will investigate, develop and optimize an innovative, highly efficient integrated hydrogen powered, electrical aircraft propulsion concept for short and medium range. It will achieve significant climate impact reduction by being completely carbon neutral with radical increase of overall efficiency. The full synergistic use of: a) an electrical motor (as the main driver for propulsion), b) a contoured hydrogen fueled SOFC stacks (geometrically optimized for nacelle integration), c) a gas turbine (to thermodynamically integrate the SOFC), will act as an enabler for hydrogen aviation and will allow for efficient and compact engine concepts. This disruptive propulsion system will be called HYLENA concept. HYLENA aims to evaluate and demonstrate the feasibility of a “game changing” engine type which integrates Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) into a turbomachine, in order to utilize the heat generated by the fuel cells on top of its electrical energy. The combination of e-motor, turbomachine and contoured SOFCs fueled with H2 will deliver high overall efficiency and performance versus state-of-the-art turbofan engines. Indeed, HYLENA Figures of Merit consist of minimizing CO2 emission; negligible NOX and an unmatched overall efficiency versus state-of-the-art turbofans which corresponds to an outstanding performance increase. It will also enable to extend the flight range for the same fuel tank size. The HYLENA project will deliver: 1. On SOFC cell level: Experimental investigations on SOFC cell technologies and identification of the most promising one(s) for aeronautical applications; 2. On SOFC stack level: Studies and tests to determine the most compact/light/manufacturable way of stack integration; 3. On thermodynamic level: Cycles simulations of the proposed novel HYLENA concept architecture and down selection of the most performing one; 4. On engine design level: Exploration, through resilient calculation and simulation, of the best engine design, sizing and overall components integration; 5. On overall engine efficiency level: Demonstration that HYLENA concept can reach very high efficiency levels with limited weight and complexity; 6. On demonstration level: A decision dossier for a potential ground test demonstrator to prove that the HYLENA concept works in practice during a second phase in the continuity of this project.
Organisation(s): Institute of Thermodynamics
External Organisation(s): Airbus Group
Delft University of Technology
University Grenoble-Alpes (UGA)
Bauhaus Luftfahrt (Aerospace Research Institution)
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Type: Conference article
Journal: ICAS Proceedings
ISSN: 1025-9090
Publication date: 09.09.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Aerospace Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, General Materials Science
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 13 - Climate Action

BibTeX

@article{b59b91031d5848d796c96009ca87ea11,
title = "Hydrogen-Powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Gas Turbine System for Aeronautical Application",
abstract = "HYLENA will investigate, develop and optimize an innovative, highly efficient integrated hydrogen powered, electrical aircraft propulsion concept for short and medium range. It will achieve significant climate impact reduction by being completely carbon neutral with radical increase of overall efficiency. The full synergistic use of: a) an electrical motor (as the main driver for propulsion), b) a contoured hydrogen fueled SOFC stacks (geometrically optimized for nacelle integration), c) a gas turbine (to thermodynamically integrate the SOFC), will act as an enabler for hydrogen aviation and will allow for efficient and compact engine concepts. This disruptive propulsion system will be called HYLENA concept. HYLENA aims to evaluate and demonstrate the feasibility of a “game changing” engine type which integrates Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) into a turbomachine, in order to utilize the heat generated by the fuel cells on top of its electrical energy. The combination of e-motor, turbomachine and contoured SOFCs fueled with H2 will deliver high overall efficiency and performance versus state-of-the-art turbofan engines. Indeed, HYLENA Figures of Merit consist of minimizing CO2 emission; negligible NOX and an unmatched overall efficiency versus state-of-the-art turbofans which corresponds to an outstanding performance increase. It will also enable to extend the flight range for the same fuel tank size. The HYLENA project will deliver: 1. On SOFC cell level: Experimental investigations on SOFC cell technologies and identification of the most promising one(s) for aeronautical applications; 2. On SOFC stack level: Studies and tests to determine the most compact/light/manufacturable way of stack integration; 3. On thermodynamic level: Cycles simulations of the proposed novel HYLENA concept architecture and down selection of the most performing one; 4. On engine design level: Exploration, through resilient calculation and simulation, of the best engine design, sizing and overall components integration; 5. On overall engine efficiency level: Demonstration that HYLENA concept can reach very high efficiency levels with limited weight and complexity; 6. On demonstration level: A decision dossier for a potential ground test demonstrator to prove that the HYLENA concept works in practice during a second phase in the continuity of this project.",
keywords = "CINEA, Electrical motor, gas turbine, Solid Oxide fuel cell",
author = "Daniel Kierbel and Tanja Neuland and Roux, {Paul Emile} and Pedro Nehter and Jan Hollmann and Dagli, {Cagatay Necati} and Pascal K{\"o}hler and Stephan Kabelac and Rao, {Arvind Gangoli} and {de Domenico}, Francesca and Maurice Hoogreef and {Van Biert}, Linder and Feijia Yin and Cecile Rossignol and Laurent Dessemond and Steil, {Marlu Cesar} and Philipp Maas and Florian Winter and Christopher Warsch and Ventura, {Santiago Salas} and Matthias Metten and Heddrich, {Marc P.} and Ansar, {S. Asif}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024, International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences. All rights reserved.; 34th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, ICAS 2024 ; Conference date: 09-09-2024 Through 13-09-2024",
year = "2024",
month = sep,
day = "9",
language = "English",
journal = "ICAS Proceedings",
issn = "1025-9090",
publisher = "International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences",
}