H3 Dynamics selected to supply EU-funded clean aviation program HyPoTraDe
27 August 2024
A new consortium led by aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, in partnership with Honeywell International, Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR), Fraunhofer Society, as well as University of Stuttgart and Delft University of Technology has been formed around a new initiative called HyPoTraDe.
HyPoTraDe is focused on the development and testing of a modular high voltage 500 kW fuel cell battery hybrid powertrain that can be afterwards expanded into the MW class. It will explore new ways of using the waste heat of the fuel cell to increase the efficiency of the complete system, as well as test the powertrain in flight relevant conditions.
The program data will be used to design and integrate hydrogen-electric powertrains for propulsion into CS-23 category light aircraft (< 19 seaters) including commuters.
The program will explore new ways of using the waste heat of the fuel cell to increase the efficiency of the complete system, as well as test the powertrain in flight relevant conditions, emulating a flight altitude of 15,000 to 25,000 feet.
During the HyPoTrade project, a digital twin also will be created and validated through data gathered during the test, to facilitate an accurate prediction of the performance of future scaled powertrains. Thus, helping to fulfil the ambitious goals of the Clean Aviation Program for entry into service of regional and short-range hydrogen-powered aircraft in 2035.
Having announced its collaboration with Airbus on a 0.5MW hydrogen-electric power system and its partnership with LYTE Aviation on a 40-passenger hydrogen-electric VTOL, H3 Dynamics is now supporting the EU-funded HyPoTraDe consortium by providing its aviation fuel cell expertise and guiding the commissioning and tests.
Some of the consortium members participating in the HyPoTraDe program have prior experience with the performance of H3 Dynamics advanced fuel cell solutions. TU Delft set a new Guiness World Record with H3 Dynamics’s aerospace-grade fuel cells to achieve 2,499km on just 0.95kg of hydrogen—a first place finish at the Shell Ecomarathon competition finals in 2023. H3 Dynamics also supplies TU Delft’s AERODELFT Liquid Hydrogen Aircraft program, which has designed its first liquid hydrogen-electric power train on a scaled-down version of hydrogen aircraft.
Today, H3 Dynamics provides a full line up of advanced hydrogen solutions across the aviation value chain, from aircraft propulsion power to airport-based ground equipment solutions. To complement downstream hydrogen aviation use cases, H3 Dynamics is now also launching a new generation of low-cost hydrogen production modules for airports. These same modules will also address the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
H3 Dynamics has been focused on enhancing its delivery capabilities from Toulouse, Austin and Singapore, with plans to accelerate a dedicated production line for high-performance solutions for the global aviation sector in Europe as well as in the Middle East.
Very ambitious project I figured a way they can make an electric jet engines
powered by fuel cells
Posted by: SJC | 29 August 2024 at 09:00 AM
Fuel cell at 60% efficiency is most advantageous in replacing small gas engines and small gas turbines with efficiency rangine from 20-30%.
For large jet engines, the efficiency of these can get to above 50%, and with the use of liquid H2 (LH2) to cool down the intake air to permit even higher pressure ratio, AND with further heating of this H2 stream from exhaust heat prior to injecting the fuel into the burner...the thermal efficiency of those engines can approximate 65%, which exceeds the efficiency of fuel cells. So, the energy that went into liquefying the H2 into LH2 will not be lost because it can wisely be used to raise the efficiency of the LH2-fueled turbine engine.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 31 August 2024 at 12:50 PM
There is a discussion about a jet engine that condenses the water vapor at the output and puts it back in the input to lower nox my idea has to do with a smaller jet engine that would be used for private jets it would require a lot of fuel cells about two megawatts to start with
Posted by: SJC | 01 September 2024 at 01:54 PM
Jet engines are heat engines they are more efficient at high output, they're not all that efficient at cruise which is more than 90% of their operational profile
Posted by: SJC | 01 September 2024 at 05:59 PM
You could use tubular sofcs in jet engines it would provide the electrical power the heat for expansion and run on LNG
Posted by: SJC | 02 September 2024 at 10:55 AM