Fuel Cell Applications on More Electrical Aircraft

In order to meet the increasing environmental and economic requirements, commercial aircraft industries have been challenged to reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions. As a result, more electrical aircraft (MEA), on which engine driven electrical power replaces other primary powers, is being investigated. However, with the increasing demands of electrical power capacity on MEA, the engines have to be redesigned to supply enough power and space for bigger generators. In order to avoid this problem, fuel cell systems could partially/entirely replace the engine driven generators to supply electric power on board. Compared to the traditional electrical power system which is driven by main engines/auxiliary power unit (APU) on MEA, fuel cell based systems would be more efficient and more environmental friendly. Also, fuel cells could work continuously during the entire flight envelope. This paper introduces fuel cell system concepts on MEA. Characters of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are compared. An SOFC APU application on MEA is introduced. Finally, challenges of fell cells application on MEA are discussed.