Description du projet
L’aviation met le cap sur les piles à combustible à hydrogène
Les systèmes de piles à combustible (PC) à base d’hydrogène, qui constituent une solution plus propre pour l’aviation, affichent une grande efficacité énergétique et des émissions sonores réduites. Dans ce contexte, le projet NIMPHEA, financé par l’UE, mettra au point une nouvelle génération d’assemblages membrane-électrodes (AME) haute température (HT) pour les PC à base d’hydrogène capables de propulser les aéronefs sans émettre de polluants. Bien que les AME basse température présente une densité de puissance intéressante, ses problèmes de gestion thermique rendent leur utilisation incompatible avec les aéronefs. Quant aux PC-HT actuelles fonctionnant à une température d’environ 160 °C, elles ne répondent pas non plus aux exigences de performance des applications aéronautiques. Par conséquent, le projet NIMPHEA cherche à optimiser les principaux composants des AME (couche catalytique, membrane et couche de diffusion des gaz) afin d’obtenir une densité de puissance de 1,25 W/cm² à une température de service nominale de 120 °C.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringautomotive engineering
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility Main Programme
Régime de financement
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinateur
31200 Toulouse
France