Airbus successfully tests fuel cells in civilian aircraft
Nope, this isn't a story about a plane flying exclusively on hydrogen. Instead, it's about Airbus' use of a fuel cell to obtain electricity for some of the plane's electrical needs: motor pump, back-up hydraulic circuit and operating the aircraft's ailerons. The cells produced a total of 10 liters of water.
The good thing, based on Airbus' claims, is that this might allow the aircraft to be lighter, because less fuel would be needed to carried for the on-board generators. The resulting product, plain water, could also be used in water systems, something that would also shave some weight.
Airbus plans to develop future applications for fuel cells, potentially replacing other aircraft systems such as the emergency power systems and the Auxiliary Power Unit. This could significantly reduce the noise and emission levels in and around airports
The fuel cell system developed by Airbus and Michelin was tested on the A320 test aircraft owned by the DLR, the German Aerospace Center. Airbus has been working on fuel cell technology in cooperation with Michelin, Liebherr Aerospace and DLR since the end of 2005.
Related:
[Source: Airbus]
Emission free power for civil aircraft: Airbus successfully demonstrates fuel cells in flight
19 February 2008
Airbus has successfully tested a fuel cells system in flight. For the first time on a civil aircraft this innovative energy source powered the aircraft's back-up hydraulic and electric power systems. The test conducted in February is part of Airbus' overall plans for an eco-efficient aviation industry. It supports the on-going research to evaluate the potential use and environmental benefits of fuel cell technology and zero emissions power generation in civil aviation.
During the test, the hydrogen and oxygen based fuel cell system generated up to 20 Kilo Watts (kW) of electrical power. The emission free fuel cell system generates water as a "waste" product. The fuel cell system powered the aircraft's electric motor pump and the back-up hydraulic circuit and also operated the aircraft's ailerons. The system's robustness was confirmed at high gravity loads ("g" loads) during turns and zero gravity aircraft manoeuvres. During the flight test, the fuel cells produced around 10 litres of pure water.
"Fuel cells offer tremendous potential environmental benefits and operational savings", said Patrick Gavin, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering. "This is another example of Airbus providing leadership for an eco-efficient industry, one which creates value with less environmental impact."
Fuel cells are emission free and the by product, which is water, could be used for the aircraft water and waste systems, making the aircraft lighter and thus increasing the aircraft's fuel efficiency.
This achievement will enable Airbus and its partners to further develop ways to implement fuel cell technology for replacing other aircraft systems such as the emergency power systems and the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). This would significantly reduce the noise and emission levels in and around airports.
The fuel cell system developed by Airbus and Michelin was tested on the A320 test aircraft owned by the DLR, the German Aerospace Center. Airbus has been working on fuel cell technology in cooperation with Michelin, Liebherr Aerospace and DLR since the end of 2005.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2/LS7? 2:56AM (2/21/2008)
Wow, Airbus is expert at making press releases to steal Boeing's thunder.
Boeing already offers on their price list a 787 with a fuel cell APU, although they have not built any with it (or without, for that matter).
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meme 2:53AM (2/21/2008)
It's a great idea. Unlike in cars, but like in rocketry, in aircraft, bulk isn't nearly as much of a consideration as weight. Hydrogen has horrible energy density by volume but great energy density by weight.
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Chris M 12:13AM (2/21/2008)
This may be one of the few applications where the advantage in reduced weight overrides the many disadvantages of H2 fuel.
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davewin 11:36AM (2/21/2008)
I agree that this might be a suitable application for H due to weight benefits, and the greater possibility of an airport hydrogen refueling infrastructure being put into service than that for automobiles.
However, is it me or does every company that touts fuel cells seem to conveniently ignore the fact that it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen, and that process is usually not emissions-free?
http://www.automanifesto.com/2008/02/hydrogen-emits-more-than-water-vapor.html
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rgseidl 4:44PM (2/21/2008)
Airbus may have used a separate H2 tank for this experiment, but any production application would most likely use a kerosene reformer. The objective here is not to save fuel - the hotel load on a plane is negligible compared to propulsion - but to cut noise near airports. Everything else is gravy.
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GenWaylaid 10:48PM (2/21/2008)
The perfect hydrogen storage solution: zeppelins!
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