Hydrogen-Powered Aviation—Design of a Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft for Entry into Service in 2040

Abstract

Over the past few years, the rapid growth of air traffic and the associated increase in emissions have created a need for sustainable aviation. Motivated by these challenges, this paper explores how a 50-passenger regional aircraft can be hybridized to fly with the lowest possible emissions in 2040. In particular, the use of liquid hydrogen in this aircraft is an innovative power source that promises to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions to zero. Combined with a fuel-cell system, the energy obtained from the liquid hydrogen can be used efficiently. To realize a feasible concept in the near future considering the aspects of performance and security, the system must be hybridized. In terms of maximized aircraft sustainability, this paper analyses the flight phases and ground phases, resulting in an aircraft design with a significant reduction in operating costs. Promising technologies, such as a wingtip propeller and electric green taxiing, are discussed in this paper, and their potential impacts on the future of aviation are highlighted. In essence, the hybridization of regional aircraft is promising and feasible by 2040; however, more research is needed in the areas of fuel-cell technology, thermal management and hydrogen production and storage.

Studies Concerning Electrical Repowering of a Training Airplane Using Hydrogen Fuel Cells

“…Intensive research, involving substantial investments, has also started regarding commuter aircraft or regional transport planes. In [23], the study explores how a regional aircraft with 50 passengers can be hybridized to achieve the lowest possible emissions by 2040.…”

“…The FUTPRINT50 project, funded by the EU, focuses on possible technologies for hybridelectric commercial aircraft for the years 2035-2040 [25]. In [23], the authors have designed the hybrid regional aircraft HAIQU (Hydrogen Aircraft designed for Quick commuting). This aircraft offers a capacity of 50 passengers and features a hybrid power system based on fuel cell and battery technology, combining the advantages of both technologies.…”

Feasible and Optimal Design of an Airborne High-Temperature Superconducting Generator Using Taguchi Method

“…where µ is the permeability, σ is the conductivity, and the boundary condition of the magnetic vector potential is set as A = 0. Referring to the cooling systems in previous studies, we designed a modular pipe cooling system as shown in Figure 8 [40,41]. In the cooling system, each HTS coil was contained in a modular pipe separately and cooled by liquid hydrogen.…”

On the Potentials of the Integration of Pressure Gain Combustion with a Hybrid Electric Propulsion System

“…Despite the challenges in bringing the HEPS into service, as reviewed by different researchers [7][8][9], a significant reduction in fuel energy consumption [10] makes the technology promising for green aviation. It is also anticipated that the advantages of the HEPS will be further enhanced by applying hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology [11]. The architectures of the HEPS include series, parallel, and turbo-electric configurations.…”