Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HYDEA (HYdrogen DEmonstrator for Aviation)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-07-01 do 2023-12-31
The HYdrogen DEmonstrator for Aviation (HYDEA) project aims to develop an H2 propulsion system for a zero-CO2 aircraft by 2035 and thus align with the European Green Deal. HYDEA plans to demonstrate hydrogen propulsion's feasibility within a compact timeframe (2023-2026) leading to ground tests. HYDEA's outcomes from the core of Airbus's ZEROe project launched in 2020. Hydrogen is a promising "non-drop-in" fuel that can be generated through carbon-free renewables, enabling zero-CO2 flights and eliminating non-volatile particulate matter. Despite the usage of H2 as a fuel in space and for power generation, its usage in direct aviation remains a challenge due to technical barriers and costs. HYDEA encompasses technology validation to develop an H2 propulsion system and to initiate an ambitious multi-phase Flight Test Demonstration (FTD) plan by integrating the HYDEA’s End-to-end hydrogen Fuel and Propulsion System (EFPS) onto an experimental airframe and in-flight assessment of its performance and environmental impact. An integrated ground test bench will assess EFPS, ultimately aiming for a permit to fly. Although the flight test demonstrator may not be an immediate goal of HYDEA, it prompts investigations to bridge gaps between it and future products. Proactive engagement with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guides potential product certification strategies. Also, revolutionizing aircraft architecture requires the adaptation of airport infrastructures for H2 as fuel, ensuring quality, safety, and availability. While these are not HYDEA's focus, the appropriate industries will explore these challenges independently. Moreover, HYDEA's strength lies in its diverse consortium spanning several OEMs, SMEs, RTOs, and academia from more than ten countries. This collaboration advances aviation's decarbonization and climate neutrality objectives.
The H2 Combustor Single Sector test campaign has been conducted at COSVIG to prove ignition performances of 100% H2 fuelled single-cup combustor with spark ignitor. To do this the H2 Single Sector test campaign exploited an existing combustion rig.
H2 Combustor High Pressure Single Cup Test campaign. Researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and GE Aerospace in Munich (GEDE) have investigated the combustion of 100 percent hydrogen under realistic aircraft engine operating conditions.
H2 Combustor Flame visualization at medium pressure in Single Cup Test campaign
Significant modifications in the geometry and size of the injection system must be implemented to allow Hydrogen combustion. For this reason, ETH Zurich and GEDE collaborated on a test campaign to achieve:
1. Optical measurements to visualize the H2 flame topology.
2. Flame transfer matrix measurements.
EFPS requirements, test plan
Definition and convergence on the key End to End Fuel and Propulsion System requirements which will drive the concept selection: by having a significant impact on design, integration, schedule, cost and learnings.
The preliminary test strategy including test organisation, test means description, instrumentation and Hardware strategies have been defined.
Contrail modelling
The Contrails Modelling Tools – state of the art, a literature review including status on existing simulation capabilities and numerical codes for the contrail modelling over their lifetime was executed and delivered. The report details the existing contrail models and numerical codes for kerosene fuelled engines and how they compare. A discussion of the proposed changes required to account for a hydrogen fuelled engine is included.
Work is now underway to provide CFD as inputs to the adapted models to test and compare the models for use with hydrogen.
Hydrogen sensing materials
In the pursuit of creating innovative hydrogen sensors for leak detection, TU Delft has chosen the sensing materials. These materials are specifically tailored for hydrogen detection within the required temperature range, selected after a thorough analysis of their structural characteristics and optical properties under varying hydrogen concentrations.
H2 Engine Fuel System architecture development for the Ground Test Demo
The activities focused on the conceptual design of the H2 Engine Fuel System: specification of System requirements (including A/C Fuel System interfaces requirements and Engine Combustion System interfaces requirements), design of System architecture, specification of System Components requirements. The interactions between systems were matured from detailed work on operational scenarios (ex: engine start or shut down). Preliminary equipment design activities were pursued at equipment level. Physical installation and safety aspects were covered as well through multi-functional team workshops with HYDEA partners.
Preparation work for the H2 Engine Fuel System Wet Rig
Along with the H2 engine fuel system configuration definition, activities related to test bed were performed: collection of test bed requirements, identification of system interfaces between the test bed and the systems to test, assessment of test bed architecture solutions from technical / costs / schedule perspectives, preliminary risk assessment.
Preparation work for the H2 Engine Ground Test Bench
Along with the H2 engine configuration definition, activities related to test bed were performed: collection of test bed requirements, identification of system interfaces between the test bed and the systems to test, assessment of test bed architecture solutions from technical / costs / schedule perspectives, preliminary risk assessment.
H2 Combustor High Pressure Single Cup Test campaign. Researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and GE Aerospace in Munich (GEDE) have investigated the combustion of 100 percent hydrogen under realistic aircraft engine operating conditions.
H2 Combustor Flame visualization at medium pressure in Single Cup Test campaign
Significant modifications in the geometry and size of the injection system must be implemented to allow Hydrogen combustion. For this reason, ETH Zurich and GEDE collaborated on a test campaign to achieve:
1. Optical measurements to visualize the H2 flame topology.
2. Flame transfer matrix measurements.
EFPS requirements, test plan
Definition and convergence on the key End to End Fuel and Propulsion System requirements which will drive the concept selection: by having a significant impact on design, integration, schedule, cost and learnings.
The preliminary test strategy including test organisation, test means description, instrumentation and Hardware strategies have been defined.
Contrail modelling
The Contrails Modelling Tools – state of the art, a literature review including status on existing simulation capabilities and numerical codes for the contrail modelling over their lifetime was executed and delivered. The report details the existing contrail models and numerical codes for kerosene fuelled engines and how they compare. A discussion of the proposed changes required to account for a hydrogen fuelled engine is included.
Work is now underway to provide CFD as inputs to the adapted models to test and compare the models for use with hydrogen.
Hydrogen sensing materials
In the pursuit of creating innovative hydrogen sensors for leak detection, TU Delft has chosen the sensing materials. These materials are specifically tailored for hydrogen detection within the required temperature range, selected after a thorough analysis of their structural characteristics and optical properties under varying hydrogen concentrations.
H2 Engine Fuel System architecture development for the Ground Test Demo
The activities focused on the conceptual design of the H2 Engine Fuel System: specification of System requirements (including A/C Fuel System interfaces requirements and Engine Combustion System interfaces requirements), design of System architecture, specification of System Components requirements. The interactions between systems were matured from detailed work on operational scenarios (ex: engine start or shut down). Preliminary equipment design activities were pursued at equipment level. Physical installation and safety aspects were covered as well through multi-functional team workshops with HYDEA partners.
Preparation work for the H2 Engine Fuel System Wet Rig
Along with the H2 engine fuel system configuration definition, activities related to test bed were performed: collection of test bed requirements, identification of system interfaces between the test bed and the systems to test, assessment of test bed architecture solutions from technical / costs / schedule perspectives, preliminary risk assessment.
Preparation work for the H2 Engine Ground Test Bench
Along with the H2 engine configuration definition, activities related to test bed were performed: collection of test bed requirements, identification of system interfaces between the test bed and the systems to test, assessment of test bed architecture solutions from technical / costs / schedule perspectives, preliminary risk assessment.
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.