A Study on the Use of Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells for Increased Power Generation on Small Aircraft

Litherland, Brandon L ; Borer, Nicholas K ; Geuther, Steven C

关键词: AUXILIARY POWER SOURCES;    ELECTRIC BATTERIES;    EXHAUST EMISSION;    FORM FACTORS;    FUEL SYSTEMS;    GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT;    HYDROCARBON FUELS;    PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT;    REYNOLDS NUMBER;    SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS;    TURBINES;    WING PLANFORMS;   

RP-ID  :  NF1676L-33185

学科分类：航空航天科学

美国|英语

来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

A growing demand for higher-power electrical equipment on aircraft is driving the exploration of alternative electrical power generation devices. “Hybrid-electric” aircraft architectures that leverage multiple or alternative power sources are also becoming more popular with rising concerns over efficiency. Fuel cells are particularly interesting as auxiliary or secondary electrical power generation devices, due to their relative efficiency and longevity, and could be used as a “power pod” for vehicles without enough on-board electrical generation capability. This paper examines the feasibility and potential value of using an externally-mounted, hybridelectric, solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power system on a Class IV unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the purpose of power generation in excess of the baseline electrical load. Moreover, the paper will demonstrate that a SOFC auxiliary power unit (APU) provides significant value to an aircraft by producing a relatively large amount of additional electrical power for a relatively low initial investment when compared to producing additional power by scaling the engine.