Periodic Reporting for period 3 - HYDEA (HYdrogen DEmonstrator for Aviation)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2024-12-31
The HYDEA project, which standsfor “HYdrogen DEmonstrator for Aviation”, proposes a robust technology maturation plan to develop an H2C (Hydrogen Combustion) propulsion system compatible with an Entry Into Service of a zeroCO2 low-emission aircraft in 2035, consistently with the expected timeframe of the European Green Deal and CA SRIA objectives. The project aims to address fundamental questions related to the use of hydrogen as an aviation fuel, concentrating on the development and testing in relevant conditions of an H2 combustor and H2 fuel system, also including emission studies and further technologies which will serve as an outlook to future engines, i.e. NOx optimization studies, potential contrails emissions and investigating integration aspects between engine and aircraft.
HYDEA results will be core for the ZEROe technology exploration project, launched by Airbus in 2020. The revolutionary technologies in scope call for an early engagement and dialogue with EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) within HYDEA, starting from phase 1.
HYDEA results will be core for the ZEROe technology exploration project, launched by Airbus in 2020. The revolutionary technologies in scope call for an early engagement and dialogue with EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) within HYDEA, starting from phase 1.
WP1 – H2 Combustion System
Validation of thermoacoustic modeling tools using experimental results from several test campaigns and application of modelling for thermoacoustic test predictions. Results in D1.7 D1.8 D1.9 and D1.13.
Single cup test campaigns conducted at ETHZ, results in D1.11.
Tunable Combustion Acoustic test at Cosvig/SestaLab, results in D1.37 and D1.2 MS1.8.
Pressure Sensitive Paint test at UNIFI to study film cooling effectiveness, results in D1.6. InfraRed atmospheric reactive test at UNIFI.
High Pressure Sector test at DLR completed.
Altitude relight test campaign preparatory activity.
Full Annullar test campaign preparatory activity.
Additive manufacturing trials on low NOx Injection systems have started at GE AVIO. Preparations for Low NOx single-cup combustor tests in 2025 at DLR Cologne and ETHZ started.
WP2 – H2 Engine Fuel System
he H2 Engine fuel system design and specifications activities performed during first half of year 2024 have been performed as part of TROPHY project. The second half of year 2024 was dedicated to activities in preparation of the Concept Review (final) for a ground Wet Rig configuration, MS2.5. This result contributes to the High Level Objective n°1 “De-risk, mature and test the key sub-systems of an hydrogen direct-burn engine” and allowed reaching TRL2 on the H2 Engine Fuel System.
Delivery of H2 Engine Fuel System installation study at wet rig (D2.53).
All along the Year, the partners conducted their development plan for their equipment and support Safran AE to:
o Provide all updates to support the GAM amendment proposal
o Close concept technical studies at engine level for Flight configuration
o Support the physical installation/integration for the ground wet rig
o SEFS preliminary design for the nominal operational case
WP3
Concept Design Review including H2-enabling modules assessment and verifications on existing P20 donor engine component achieved.
Definition of contents for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on CDN structures, outlining the means of demonstration of design requirements at PDR level
WHR technology maturation – preparation of component test.
Control system and engine integration activities, Electrical system definition, Control and Actuation System design
WP4 – Ground Testing
As a result of 2024 replanning, the present work package is discontinued after M18, preserving preparatory work instrumental for the future GTD campaign, which has been object of deliverables D4.1 and D4.2.
WP5 - Propulsion Integration:
• Systems Maturation Logic: Progress on the definition of the overall End-to-End Fuel and Propulsion System, with preliminary concept defined and risks & opportunities assessment.
• H2 Sensor Development: Development and testing of a proof-of-concept fiber optic hydrogen sensor.
• Thermal Protection and Sealing Systems: Fire and cryogenic tests on sealing and insulating systems.
WP6 - Contrails Assessment and Tools Development:
• CFD Modeling: Creation and convergence of Computational Fluid Dynamic model at hydrogen combustion conditions.
• Contrail Formation: Investigations into dominant nucleation pathways and the role of lubrication oil in contrail formation.
WP7 – Demo vs Product gap studies
Creation of Project Interface Document (PID) for EASA.
Gap analysis on CS-E ongoing.
Validation of thermoacoustic modeling tools using experimental results from several test campaigns and application of modelling for thermoacoustic test predictions. Results in D1.7 D1.8 D1.9 and D1.13.
Single cup test campaigns conducted at ETHZ, results in D1.11.
Tunable Combustion Acoustic test at Cosvig/SestaLab, results in D1.37 and D1.2 MS1.8.
Pressure Sensitive Paint test at UNIFI to study film cooling effectiveness, results in D1.6. InfraRed atmospheric reactive test at UNIFI.
High Pressure Sector test at DLR completed.
Altitude relight test campaign preparatory activity.
Full Annullar test campaign preparatory activity.
Additive manufacturing trials on low NOx Injection systems have started at GE AVIO. Preparations for Low NOx single-cup combustor tests in 2025 at DLR Cologne and ETHZ started.
WP2 – H2 Engine Fuel System
he H2 Engine fuel system design and specifications activities performed during first half of year 2024 have been performed as part of TROPHY project. The second half of year 2024 was dedicated to activities in preparation of the Concept Review (final) for a ground Wet Rig configuration, MS2.5. This result contributes to the High Level Objective n°1 “De-risk, mature and test the key sub-systems of an hydrogen direct-burn engine” and allowed reaching TRL2 on the H2 Engine Fuel System.
Delivery of H2 Engine Fuel System installation study at wet rig (D2.53).
All along the Year, the partners conducted their development plan for their equipment and support Safran AE to:
o Provide all updates to support the GAM amendment proposal
o Close concept technical studies at engine level for Flight configuration
o Support the physical installation/integration for the ground wet rig
o SEFS preliminary design for the nominal operational case
WP3
Concept Design Review including H2-enabling modules assessment and verifications on existing P20 donor engine component achieved.
Definition of contents for the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on CDN structures, outlining the means of demonstration of design requirements at PDR level
WHR technology maturation – preparation of component test.
Control system and engine integration activities, Electrical system definition, Control and Actuation System design
WP4 – Ground Testing
As a result of 2024 replanning, the present work package is discontinued after M18, preserving preparatory work instrumental for the future GTD campaign, which has been object of deliverables D4.1 and D4.2.
WP5 - Propulsion Integration:
• Systems Maturation Logic: Progress on the definition of the overall End-to-End Fuel and Propulsion System, with preliminary concept defined and risks & opportunities assessment.
• H2 Sensor Development: Development and testing of a proof-of-concept fiber optic hydrogen sensor.
• Thermal Protection and Sealing Systems: Fire and cryogenic tests on sealing and insulating systems.
WP6 - Contrails Assessment and Tools Development:
• CFD Modeling: Creation and convergence of Computational Fluid Dynamic model at hydrogen combustion conditions.
• Contrail Formation: Investigations into dominant nucleation pathways and the role of lubrication oil in contrail formation.
WP7 – Demo vs Product gap studies
Creation of Project Interface Document (PID) for EASA.
Gap analysis on CS-E ongoing.
The HYDEA project responds to urgent climate challenges by developing hydrogen propulsion for aviation. It aligns with the European Green Deal's call for climate neutrality and addresses aviation industries' significant carbon footprint. Through innovation, collaboration, and comprehensive testing, HYDEA aims to revolutionize aviation propulsion and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Expected benefits and impact:
• Environmental: hydrogen is the most promising “non-drop-in” fuel to enable a low emission CO2 flight, from Regional up to Short-Medium Range market segments. Moreover, hydrogen can be generated carbon-free through renewable energy sources (“green hydrogen”), allowing a complete decarbonization in and off flight.
• Industrial & Competitiveness: the safe usage of hydrogen as aviation fuel requires tremendous research and innovation efforts to adapt existing technologies outside the aviation sector while developing new dedicated ones, ensuring full compliance to the harsh safety and certification requirements characterizing the Aviation market and related products. Such challenge requires a huge investment in terms of research and technologies as well as dedicated testing infrastructure, that can be addressed only through a collaborative approach among industries, research institutes, universities, SMEs and public entities. HYDEA is supported by an inclusive and diverse consortium representing the European and global excellence in the Aviation field, paving the way for the creation of an aviation hydrogen economy in Europe based on a full value chain approach, impacting in the job market both in terms of skills and demand.
Expected benefits and impact:
• Environmental: hydrogen is the most promising “non-drop-in” fuel to enable a low emission CO2 flight, from Regional up to Short-Medium Range market segments. Moreover, hydrogen can be generated carbon-free through renewable energy sources (“green hydrogen”), allowing a complete decarbonization in and off flight.
• Industrial & Competitiveness: the safe usage of hydrogen as aviation fuel requires tremendous research and innovation efforts to adapt existing technologies outside the aviation sector while developing new dedicated ones, ensuring full compliance to the harsh safety and certification requirements characterizing the Aviation market and related products. Such challenge requires a huge investment in terms of research and technologies as well as dedicated testing infrastructure, that can be addressed only through a collaborative approach among industries, research institutes, universities, SMEs and public entities. HYDEA is supported by an inclusive and diverse consortium representing the European and global excellence in the Aviation field, paving the way for the creation of an aviation hydrogen economy in Europe based on a full value chain approach, impacting in the job market both in terms of skills and demand.