Performance evaluation and multi-objective optimization of a novel UAV propulsion system based on PEM fuel cell

Bahari, Mehran; Rostami, Majid; Entezari, Ashkan; Ghahremani, Sheida; Etminan, Melika

doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122554

Cited by 26 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…UAVs fall into two main categories: fixed wing (airplane) and rotorcraft (single rotor—helicopter, or at least two rotors—multicopters). Recently (2020–2022), a third category of UAVs has seen rapid development: fixed-wing UAVs with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], which combine the capabilities of an aircraft with those of a multirotor UAV, with either electric or combined propulsion [ 4 , 5 , 6 ] (electric with internal combustion engine) to extend flight range and develop superior flight performance, with the aim of being able to carry large payloads over long distances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Hexacopter UAVs Attitude Parameters Employing Control and Decision Support Systems

Stamate

Pupăză

Nicolescu

et al. 2023

Sensors

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Today, there is a conspicuous upward trend for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially in the field of multirotor drones. Their advantages over fixed-wing aircrafts are that they can hover, which allows their usage in a wide range of remote surveillance applications: industrial, strategic, governmental, public and homeland security. Moreover, because the component market for this type of vehicles is in continuous growth, new concepts have emerged to improve the stability and reliability of the multicopters, but efficient solutions with reduced costs are still expected. This work is focused on hexacopter UAV tests carried out on an original platform both within laboratory and on unrestricted open areas during the start–stop manoeuvres of the motors to verify the operational parameters, hover flight, the drone stability and reliability, as well as the aerodynamics and robustness at different wind speeds. The flight parameters extracted from the sensor systems’ comprising accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometers, GPS antenna and EO/IR cameras were analysed, and adjustments were performed accordingly, when needed. An FEM simulation approach allowed an additional decision support platform that expanded the experiments in the virtual environment. Finally, practical conclusions were drawn to enhance the hexacopter UAV stability, reliability and manoeuvrability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Hexacopter UAVs Attitude Parameters Employing Control and Decision Support Systems

Stamate

Pupăză

Nicolescu

et al. 2023

Sensors

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“…The utilization of PEMFCs in UAVs can be a promising candidate for high-endurance operation [21]. Benefiting from a low-temperature operation and fast start-up time enables PEMFCs to be utilized in UAVs [22]. The direct generation of electricity without a convoluted energy management system is another advantage of PEMFCs that facilitates their integration into UAVs [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Application of Fuel-Cell and Battery Technologies in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Dynamic Study

2022

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The harmful impacts of fossil-fuel-based engines on the environment have resulted in the development of other alternatives for different types of vehicles. Currently, batteries and fuel cells are being used in the automotive industry, while promising progress in the maritime and aerospace sectors is foreseen. As a case study in the aerospace sector, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was considered. The goal and the novelty of this study are in its analysis of the possibility of providing 960 W of power for a UAV with a weight of 14 kg using a hybrid system of a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery and proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The dynamic performance of the system was analyzed considering three different load profiles over time in an optimized condition. PEMFC was the main supplier of power, while the battery intervened when the power load was high for the PEMFC and the system demanded an immediate response to the changes in power load. Additionally, the impacts of the operating temperature and the C-rate of the battery were characterized by the state of the charge of the battery to better indicate the overall performance of the system.

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“…They found that nearly 66% of the electricity was met by the fuel cell. Bahari et al 39 proposed a new propulsion system with high‐thrust and fuel‐efficient capabilities based on the proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell. In addition, they established the optimization of the propulsion system's weight and thrust for long‐endurance flights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment and conceptual design of a SOFC / TIG / TEG ‐based hybrid propulsion system for a small UAV

Ren

2022

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary Improving the electricity output of a propulsion configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be effective in achieving the targets of controlling fuel consumption and high flight endurance. Recently, fuel cell‐powered UAVs have been developed to achieve these goals. In addition, the use of an integrated fuel cell‐based electric propulsion system can further improve power generation rate. On the other hand, due to the limited reports on fuel cell‐powered UAVs (especially solid oxide fuel cell [SOFC]), it is necessary to conduct more and detailed studies. In this regard, the present article provides a conceptual analysis of a SOFC/thermionic generator (TIG)/thermoelectric generator (TEG) integrated propulsion configuration to produce electric energy of a small UAV. SOFC stack converts chemical energy into electric current and thermal energy. The thermal energy of the stack's exhaust is converted into electric power under two processes in downstream generators. The objective of this work is to calculate the needful power of an UAV at desired mission requirements. The present study presents a new propulsion configuration. In addition, the proposed system's design and modeling as well as provided results are in such a way that the propulsion system can be generalized for any desired size of UAV. The finding revealed that the introduced propulsion configuration could produce nearly 553.7 W of electricity. Moreover, the efficiency of electricity production was close to 49.3%. It was also found that the drone requires nearly 1.3 kW of electric power to perform the intended mission. According to the conceptual evaluation of the proposed propulsion configuration, five scenarios are also suggested to provide the necessary power to the UAV.

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Performance evaluation and multi-objective optimization of a novel UAV propulsion system based on PEM fuel cell

Cited by 26 publications

References 29 publications

Improvement of Hexacopter UAVs Attitude Parameters Employing Control and Decision Support Systems

Improvement of Hexacopter UAVs Attitude Parameters Employing Control and Decision Support Systems

The Application of Fuel-Cell and Battery Technologies in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Dynamic Study

Assessment and conceptual design of a SOFC / TIG / TEG ‐based hybrid propulsion system for a small UAV

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