DLR and Airbus Testing Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power System in A320
26 May 2008
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| The fuel cell system on the Airbus A320 ATRA research aircraft was built by DLR. Right: Airbus Project Leader Jens Dietrich Kurre. Click to enlarge. Credit: Airbus Deutschland. |
The Institute for Technical Thermodynamics of the German Aerospace Center (Institut für Technische Thermodynamik des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR), together with its partner Airbus, has equipped and flown its Airbus A320 ATRA (Advanced Technology Research Aircraft) testing a 20 kW Michelin PEM hydrogen fuel cell system for use in auxiliary power applications.
In July 2007, the first flight experiments were made in which the function of the fuel cells under flight conditions were tested and demonstrated. The system worked consistently below 3G, with enough in store for a standby system. Since February 2008 the same fuel cell system has been used to power a hydraulic circuit pump, with the necessary power to steer the aircraft.
Fuel cell technology provides an improvement in fuel efficiency for aircraft, minimizing environmental pollution and increasing comfort and safety. DLR has, because of its long-term research experience, developed a high degree of expertise in all aspects of fuel cell technology from theory, to system development, commissioning and integration.
—Prof. Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of DLR Executive Board
The fuel cell project is part of The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, BMWi) funded project ELBASYS (electrical base system), which is intended to support the introduction of technologies to minimize emissions and to increase passenger comfort.
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| System performance at underpressure. Click to enlarge. |
PEM fuel cells face a number of issues in commercial aviation applications, aside from the challenges of building an infrastructure for the supply of oxygen and hydrogen fuel, and developing approved flight test measuring instruments for the fuel cell system.
Harsh environmental (temperature and pressure) conditions are one example. PEM fuel cells can experience major performance degradation with ambient pressure variation. Membrane humidification is hindered due to shifting boiling temperatures at different altitudes. Acceleration, inclination and vibration are others.
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| Drawing of the fuel-cell Antares DLR-H2. Click to enlarge. |
DLR is also working with Lange Aviation GmbH on the Antares DLR-H2, a flying test-bed for further work on fuel cell technology for aviation. Lange Aviation in Zweibrücken develops and builds the aircraft, while the DLR Institute for Technical Thermo- dynamics prepares the fuel-cell system, which is used as the primary propulsive system. The power train consists of power electronics, motor and propeller.
The research aircraft and its propulsion system is substantially based upon the Antares 20E, a self-launching powered sailplane, which already has been in series production for some years. Two additional external pods, which house fuel cells and fuel tanks, are added underneath the specially strengthened wing. In the future, the performance of the aircraft may be increased substantially by using up to four external pods, or by using fuel cells of an improved design.
The cooperation between DLR and Lange Aviation has been constructed as a long term partnership, so that the research aircraft is available to DLR until 2017. DLR provides the power source and defines and evaluates the research assignments, while Lange Aviation designs and builds the research aircraft.
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that would be incredible, a lot of fuel goes into the APU's, if they could make that a highly efficient fuel cell they could save a lot of space(providing the tanks aren't too large)
Posted by: Brad Godfrey | 26 May 2008 at 06:27 PM
I'm not sure I like the idea of flying in an aircraft containing tanks of hydrogen under very high pressure.
Posted by: Martin B | 27 May 2008 at 10:42 AM
this is true, especially with the plane undergoing constant pressurization and depressurization
Posted by: Brad Godfrey | 27 May 2008 at 06:01 PM
the fuel cells technology is today the most plausible solution for a functional, ecological and economical alternative energy supply system. With high degree of integration as a compact subsystem component in working systems, it give us the big chance for an efficient kind of remodelling the ecological ballance on the earth.
Together with the hydrogen "energy storage system" of not used electrical power won from the eolian energy systems e.g. it is possible to develope huge industrial plants without using fosile energy resources.
I believe in the research and development of this technology that in 5 - 10 years it will be possible to build fuel cell supply components in the megawatt class too.
Posted by: Johann A.G. Baloghy | 03 June 2008 at 06:37 AM
hi iam a bit confused . if people are so worried abot global warming an alternitive fuel. why keep the plans to makeinghydrogen a secrit ? are the green people so money hungary ??
Posted by: robert suter | 20 June 2008 at 02:43 PM
wht is we realized and used the property that says " Matter is never distroyed! " and simply use a Fuel reconstruction methode such by Breaking its Bonds Even if was by Plasma intead of useing some other sources which still has this drawbacks and not safe enough?!
why cant we just forget about the Money for once! although it will get a fortune!!?
Posted by: Eng.Mohamed Islam Azzam | 25 June 2008 at 07:00 AM
I myself have been looking around this is some good information
Posted by: electrolysis hydrogen | 24 November 2008 at 07:00 AM