Aircraft Hydrogen Fuel Feed Architecture for Phase and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fossil fuel-based aircraft systems emit greenhouse gases and pose challenges in safely storing and managing hydrogen fuel for cleaner propulsion and power generation, while also requiring weight mitigation.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen fuel system that includes a fuel tank for storing hydrogen in a liquid state, a boost pump arrangement, an engine feeder sub-system for converting hydrogen to a supercritical liquid, and a fuel cell sub-system for converting hydrogen to a gaseous state, with thermal management and pressure regulation to facilitate safe storage and efficient use during flight and on the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in liquid form to reduce volume, then storage density is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel system is divided into separate functional modules: fuel tank arrangement for liquid hydrogen storage, heat exchangers for thermal management, pump arrangements for fluid transfer, and engine feeder subsystem for fuel delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while managing the overall complexity of handling liquid hydrogen.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat exchangers are introduced as intermediary devices between the liquid hydrogen storage and the engine/fuel cell systems. These heat exchangers facilitate controlled thermal energy transfer, enabling the phase transition and temperature regulation required for liquid hydrogen utilization without directly exposing the storage system to complex thermal management requirements.
2Productivity
If hydrogen is converted to supercritical liquid state for engine use, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but energy input requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes controlled phase transitions of hydrogen, converting it from liquid state in storage to supercritical liquid state at the engine through regulated heating and pressurization. This phase transition approach enables the hydrogen to achieve the optimal state for combustion while allowing recovery of thermal energy from the phase change process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen fuel undergoes controlled changes in physical parameters (temperature and pressure) as it moves through the system. By adjusting these parameters through heat exchangers and pump arrangements, the hydrogen transitions between liquid, supercritical liquid, and gaseous states to match the specific requirements of different engine operating conditions, optimizing propulsion efficiency.
3Power
If hydrogen is converted to gaseous state for fuel cell use, then electrical power generation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both propulsion and electrical power generation needs. The same liquid hydrogen storage and thermal management infrastructure supports both the engine feeder subsystem (for propulsion) and the fuel cell subsystem (for electrical power), reducing overall system complexity while enabling dual utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions to convert hydrogen from liquid state to gaseous state specifically for the fuel cell subsystem. This phase change enables the hydrogen to be in the appropriate state for electrochemical conversion in fuel cells, improving electrical power generation while managing the complexity through controlled transition processes.
4Reliability
If pressure regulation is implemented throughout the fuel system, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulation system is segmented into localized control points at critical locations: the fuel tank arrangement, heat exchangers, pump arrangements, and engine feeder subsystem. Each segment has its own pressure management capabilities, allowing safety to be maintained through distributed control rather than a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel system incorporates feedback mechanisms through pressure sensors and control valves that continuously monitor and adjust pressure levels. This feedback control enables automatic pressure regulation, improving safety by preventing overpressurization while reducing the complexity of manual pressure management systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively manages hydrogen transitions between liquid and gaseous states, providing safe storage and efficient propulsion and power generation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aircraft weight while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat exchanger is configured to heat the hydrogen to a supercritical liquid state
Implementation Method 2
The second heat exchanger is configured to heat the hydrogen to a gaseous state
Implementation Method 3
a fuel tank configured to store hydrogen in a liquid state
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen fuel system for an aircraft is configured to provide hydrogen fuel to the engines for propulsion. The fuel system also may provide hydrogen fuel to a fuel cell arrangement to generate electricity for use on the aircraft. The fuel cell arrangement may be selectively coupled to the feed lines for the engines. A ventilation system regulates the pressure within the one or more fuel tanks and the feed lines. The ventilation system can vent hydrogen vapor to atmosphere or can transfer hydrogen vapor between the fuel tanks and the fuel cell arrangement. A jet pump and accumulator may pull vapor from the feed lines as needed.