Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EFACA (Environmentally Friendly Aviation for all Classes of Aircraft)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
The EFACA project consists of 6 main objectives at 3 levels. Level 1 consists of three TRL3 demonstrations of technologies relevant to the greening of aviation: (WP1) bench testing of a gearbox combining input from gas turbine and electric motor for an hybrid turbo-electric propulsion system for a propeller-driven regional aircraft; (WP2) comparative testing of fuel cells with conventional liquid and novel phase cooling, to show the benefits up to 20% of the latter in higher net power, reduced heat losses, and smaller volume and weight also reengineering of fuel cell and structural components to increase power-to-weight ratio up to 80%; (WP3) static ground testing of a complete liquid hydrogen fuel system from cryogenic tank to vaporization and combustion in a wide range of operating regimes and simulation of application to the speed and altitude flight envelope of jet airliners. Level 2 consists of two preliminary designs: (WP7) an 80-seat 1000-km range regional propeller driven aircraft including design and integration of hybrid turbo-electric propulsion;(WP8 and 9) a 150-seat 2000-km range jet liner with liquid hydrogen fuel including design and integration of cryogenic tanks and fuel system. At level 3 a road map (WP10) for the achievement of the EU environmental targets for aviation synthetizing conclusions in four steps: (i) current status on (WP4) emissions and (WP5) noise versus future targets and gap to be covered; (ii) assessment of relevant technologies to cover the gaps, including (WP6) battery electric and (WP9) sustainable aviation fuels, besides hydrogen (WP7) fuel cells and (WP8) turbines; (iii) most suitable technology for each class of aircraft (light, small and medium regional, single and twin aisle jetliners), and maturation time of the technology; (iv) contribution of each aircraft class to CO2 and non- CO2 global and local emissions and noise, leading to (WP10) a comprehensive road map of actions for carbon-free or emissions-free flight.
The first 18 months of the EFACA project has been filled with activities as further described for each task below. Some activities are running over longer periods of time, but a particular attention has been given to completing deliverables that were due during year one and all were delivered according to the schedule planned. A list of those deliverables during months 1 to 18 is provided here:
D3.1 Analysis of the Liquid hydrogen system for aero engine applications POLIMI R PU 12
D3.2 Report on hydrogen-fired propulsion POLIMI R PU 18
D4.1 Report the promising technologies to reduce global aviation emission CEPA R PU 12
D5.1 Report the promising technologies to reduce aviation noise exposure at airports around the EU and world CEPA R PU 12
D7.1 Review of existing proposals in the field of creating hybrid turbo-electric propulsions for regional aircraft using fuel cells IP R PU 3
D7.3 Preliminary shaping of the concept and typical flight profile of the aircraft with HTEP. Preliminary requirements for HTEP ANTONOV R PU 6
D7.4 Design of schemes for supplying energy to HTEP IP R PU 9
D7.5 Requirements for HTEP elements IP R PU 12
D8.1 Rationale for the choice of design solutions in the development of liquid hydrogen in aircraft fuel systems CEPA R PU 6
D8.2 Recommendations to the project, safety instructions and environmental safety when using hydrogen CEPA R PU 12
D9.1 Current pathways on SAF production UNISA R PU 12
D11.1 Communication and Dissemination Plan INOVA R PU 3
D11.2 Planning and report on the dissemination and outreach activities INOVA R PU 18
D11.3 Exploitation and IPR management Plan and reporting activities INOVA R PU 6
D12.1 Management and Coordination Handbook INOVA R PU 4
D12.2 Specifications for Advisory Board INOVA R PU 6
D12.3 Data Management Plan INOVA R PU 6
D12.4 Risk management and quality and innovation impact assessment strategy INOVA R PU 8
A detailed description of the progress achieved per Work Package is provided in the technical component of the project's mid-term report.
D3.1 Analysis of the Liquid hydrogen system for aero engine applications POLIMI R PU 12
D3.2 Report on hydrogen-fired propulsion POLIMI R PU 18
D4.1 Report the promising technologies to reduce global aviation emission CEPA R PU 12
D5.1 Report the promising technologies to reduce aviation noise exposure at airports around the EU and world CEPA R PU 12
D7.1 Review of existing proposals in the field of creating hybrid turbo-electric propulsions for regional aircraft using fuel cells IP R PU 3
D7.3 Preliminary shaping of the concept and typical flight profile of the aircraft with HTEP. Preliminary requirements for HTEP ANTONOV R PU 6
D7.4 Design of schemes for supplying energy to HTEP IP R PU 9
D7.5 Requirements for HTEP elements IP R PU 12
D8.1 Rationale for the choice of design solutions in the development of liquid hydrogen in aircraft fuel systems CEPA R PU 6
D8.2 Recommendations to the project, safety instructions and environmental safety when using hydrogen CEPA R PU 12
D9.1 Current pathways on SAF production UNISA R PU 12
D11.1 Communication and Dissemination Plan INOVA R PU 3
D11.2 Planning and report on the dissemination and outreach activities INOVA R PU 18
D11.3 Exploitation and IPR management Plan and reporting activities INOVA R PU 6
D12.1 Management and Coordination Handbook INOVA R PU 4
D12.2 Specifications for Advisory Board INOVA R PU 6
D12.3 Data Management Plan INOVA R PU 6
D12.4 Risk management and quality and innovation impact assessment strategy INOVA R PU 8
A detailed description of the progress achieved per Work Package is provided in the technical component of the project's mid-term report.
The pursuit of climate neutrality by 2050 has driven significant advancements in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and energy systems for aviation. Achieving higher energy densities with state-of-the-art chemistry is crucial, and this can primarily be accomplished through optimizing the form factor and refining cell production processes. Alongside these efforts, the evolution of SAF, shaped by the New Green Deal approach since 2020, has focused on improving fuel characteristics, processing technologies, and addressing challenges related to source availability, sustainability, and ethical impacts.
Moreover, advancements in cooling technologies for aviation PEM fuel cell systems are contributing to this goal. An integrated solution, known as phase-change heat pump (PCHP) cooling, offers a promising innovation. By leveraging the synergy between phase-change cooling and heat pumps, the PCHP system enhances the quality of waste heat, reduces the required heat exchange surface area, and ultimately decreases induced aerodynamic drag. This approach is considered ahead of the current state-of-the-art, further bolstering the efficiency and sustainability of aviation energy systems.
Moreover, advancements in cooling technologies for aviation PEM fuel cell systems are contributing to this goal. An integrated solution, known as phase-change heat pump (PCHP) cooling, offers a promising innovation. By leveraging the synergy between phase-change cooling and heat pumps, the PCHP system enhances the quality of waste heat, reduces the required heat exchange surface area, and ultimately decreases induced aerodynamic drag. This approach is considered ahead of the current state-of-the-art, further bolstering the efficiency and sustainability of aviation energy systems.