Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FASTER-H2 (Fuselage, Rear Fuselage and Empennage with Cabin and Cargo Architecture Solution validation and Technologies for H2 integration)
Période du rapport: 2023-07-01 au 2024-06-30
for targeted ultra-efficient Short/Medium Range aircraft (SMR), i.e. 150-250 PAX and 1000-2000nm range. To enable climate-neutral flight, aircraft for short and medium-range distances have to rely on ultra-efficient thermal energy-based propulsion technologies using sustainable drop-in and non-drop-in fuels. Besides propulsion, the integration aspects of the fuel tanks and distribution system as well as sustainable materials for the fuselage, empennage are essential to meet an overarching climate-neutrality of the aviation sector. Green propulsion and fuel technologies will have a major impact on the full fuselage architecture, including the rear fuselage, the empennage structure as well the integration of systems for the chosen energy source are concerned (H2, direct burn, fuel cell). Not only do the specific properties of hydrogen necessitate a re-consideration of typical aircraft configurations, requiring new design principles formulation and fundamental validation exercises, but they also raise a large number of important follow-on questions relating to hydrogen distribution under realistic operational constraints and safety aspects. The project will explore and exploit advanced production technologies for the integrated fuselage / empennage to reduce production waste and increase material and energy exploitation with Integrated Fuselage concept selected (maturity TRL3/4) until end of first phase in 2025. An anticipated route to TRL6 until end of the Clean Aviation programme in 2030 will ensure entry-into-service in 2035.
Main objective is the development of a family of fittings for the hydrogen tank and system integration in the non-pressurized fuselage of a future aircraft. Focus in on weight optimized solutions complying the necessary safety requirements for hydrogen tanks. The development of a novel crash structure for energy absorption around a hydrogen tank in an aircraft in case of a crash to ensure overall tank safety with H2 leaks and as well fire managment.
A future H2 structural health monitoring sensoring needs to be developed in the project. Green aerostructures and flight science objectives are contributing to the overall future fuselage as well the life cycle assessment with new materials and processes (incl. surface technologies)