Descripción del proyecto
La aviación pone rumbo hacia las pilas de combustible de hidrógeno
Los sistemas de pilas de combustible (PC) basadas en hidrógeno, una alternativa más limpia para la aviación, pueden ofrecer una alta eficiencia energética y producir menores emisiones de ruido. En este contexto, el equipo del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos NIMPHEA desarrollará un nueva generación de ensambles electrodo-membrana (MEA, por sus siglas en inglés) de alta temperatura (AT) para PC basadas en hidrógeno capaces de propulsar las aeronaves sin emitir contaminantes. Si bien los MEA de baja temperatura cuentan con una densidad de potencia atractiva, sus problemas de gestión térmica los hacen incompatibles para los entornos aeronáuticos. Por otro lado, las PC-AT actuales que funcionan en torno a 160 °C tampoco cumplen los requisitos de funcionamiento para aplicaciones en el sector de la aviación. Por lo tanto, el proyecto NIMPHEA aspira a optimizar los componentes principales de los MEA (capa de catalizador, membrana y capa de difusión de gas) para lograr una densidad de potencia de 1,25 W/cm² a una temperatura de funcionamiento nominal de 120 °C.
Objetivo
H2-based fuel cell systems (FCs) are a promising solution to power aircrafts without emitting CO2 or NOx and thus have the potential to strongly reduce aviation emissions and pave the way to climate neutrality. Embedded in aircrafts, FCs can supply non-propulsive and propulsive energy without pollutant emission, reduced noise emission and attractive energy efficiency.
The Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT-PEM) technology (incl. Membrane Electrode Assembly - MEA) emerging from the automotive industry is of great interest for aviation, but thermal management issues are still be solved. Operated below 100°C, they exhibit attractive power density but are incompatible with aircraft environment due to poor heat rejection. Also, current High Temperature FCs operated around 160°C are not at the expected level of performance for aviation, despite interesting heat rejection performances. The development of a new-generation MEA, working at temperature above 120°C and with performances equivalent to current LT-PEM MEA is the key to unlock FC applications for aviation.
NIMPHEA aims at developing - based on the development and/or optimisation of its components: catalyst layer, membrane and gas diffusion layer - a new-generation HT MEA compatible with aircraft environment and requirements, considering a system size of 1.5 MW and contributing to higher level FC targets: a power density of 1.25 W/cm² at nominal operating temperature comprised between 160°C-200°C. MEA components’ upscale synthesis and assembly process will be assessed by identifying process parameters and improved through an iterative process with lab-scale MEA tests. This disruptive MEA technology will be finally validated in a representative scale prototype (165-180 cm²) embodied in a single-cell. Simultaneously, LCA, LCC, eco-efficiency assessment and intrinsic hazard analysis will be performed to validate the MEA development. Finally, a TRL evaluation will be conducted to validate TRL4.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringautomotive engineering
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinador
31200 Toulouse
Francia