Fuel Cell Systems for Aircraft Application

Future aircraft generations have to face enhanced requirements concerning productivity, environmental compatibility and higher operational availability, thus effecting environmental, technical, operational, and economical aspects of in-flight and on-ground power generation systems. Today's development in aircraft architecture undergoes a trend to a "more electric aircraft" which is characterised by a higher proportion of electrical systems substituting hydraulically or pneumatically driven components, and, thus, increasing the amount of electrical power. Fuel cell systems in this context represent a promising solution regarding the enhancement of the energy efficiency for both cruise and ground operations. The activities of DLR focus on identification of fuel cell applications in aircraft, design and modeling of possible system designs, experimental investigations regarding specific aircraft relevant operating conditions, qualification of airworthy fuel cell systems, and set up and full scale testing of fuel cell systems for applications in research aircrafts. In cooperation with Airbus several fuel cell applications within the aircraft for both ground and cruise operation have been identified. In consequence, fuel cell systems capable to support or even replace existing systems have been derived. In this context, the provision of inert gas for the jet fuel (kerosene) tank and electrical cabin power supply including water regeneration represent the most promising application fields.