Descrizione del progetto
Innovativo sistema di propulsione elettrica per aerei alimentato a idrogeno
L’aviazione commerciale contribuisce per circa il 2-3 % alle emissioni globali di carbonio, il che evidenzia la necessità critica di sviluppare tecnologie innovative per mitigare il suo impatto sul clima. Il progetto HYLENA, finanziato dall’UE, mira a creare un sistema di propulsione elettrica per aerei alimentato a idrogeno. Tale sistema utilizzerà celle a combustibile a ossido solido (SOFC) e turbomacchine per ottimizzare l’efficienza propulsiva. Il velivolo sarà dotato di un motore elettrico per la propulsione, di stack SOFC alimentati a idrogeno e di una turbina a gas per l’integrazione delle SOFC. Il concetto HYLENA è nato per raggiungere la neutralità del carbonio, migliorando sostanzialmente l’efficienza, soprattutto per i voli a breve e medio raggio. Il progetto studia le nuove tecnologie delle celle, l’integrazione di stack leggeri e le simulazioni del ciclo del motore. HYLENA ha il potenziale per fornire un aumento radicale delle prestazioni complessive rispetto ai motori a turboventola avanzati.
Obiettivo
HYLENA will investigate, develop and optimize an innovative, highly efficient, hydrogen powered electrical aircraft propulsion concept. This is based on the integration and combination of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) with turbomachinery in order to use both the electric and thermal energy for maximisation of propulsive efficiency. This game-changing engine will exploit the synergistic use of:
a) an electrical motor: the main driver for propulsion,
b) hydrogen fueled SOFC stacks: geometrically optimized for nacelle integration,
c) a gas turbine: to thermodynamically integrate the SOFC.
This concept will achieve significant climate impact reduction by being completely carbon neutral with radical increase of overall efficiency for short and medium range aircrafts. The HYLENA methodology covers on:
- SOFC cell level: experimental investigations on new high-power density cell technologies
- SOFC stack level: studies and tests to determine the most light-weight and manufacturable way of stack integration
- Thermodynamic level: engine cycle simulations of novel HYLENA concept architectures
- Engine design level: exploration, through resilient calculation and simulation, of the best engine design, sizing and overall components integration
- Overall engine efficiency level: demonstration that HYLENA concept can reach an efficiency increase of more than 50 % compared to state-of-the-art turbofan engines
- Demonstration level: a decision dossier for a potential ground test demonstrator to prove that the concept works in practice during a second phase of the project
The HYLENA consortium consists of one aircraft manufacturer (Airbus), 3 universities and 2 research institutes covering the expertise in aircraft design, propulsion system design, SOFC technology, hydrogen combustion and climate impact assessment. This project is fully complementary to Clean-Aviation to investigate a low level TRL concept and bring it to TRL3 in 42 months prior to a demonstrator in phase 2.
Campo scientifico
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
31700 Blagnac
Francia