Hydrogen Fuel System with Liquid-Gas Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft engines powered by aviation turbine fuel face challenges in transitioning to hydrogen fuel due to hydrogen's low power density in gaseous form and extremely low boiling point, making efficient use difficult.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen fuel system incorporating a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and a gaseous hydrogen fuel tank, with a fuel delivery assembly that includes a pump, heat exchanger, and a buffer tank to manage fuel flow rates, allowing for efficient use of hydrogen in both liquid and gaseous phases, and a regulator assembly to provide hydrogen fuel to the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen fuel is stored in gaseous form, then the storage volume is reduced, but the power density becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from gaseous to liquid form during storage, achieving both high power density and compact storage volume. Liquid hydrogen provides the necessary energy density while occupying significantly less space than gaseous hydrogen at ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition of hydrogen between liquid and gaseous states. Liquid hydrogen is stored in the liquid fuel tank, and when needed, it undergoes phase transition to gaseous form through the vaporizer assembly, enabling both compact storage and efficient combustion.
2Volume of stationary object
If hydrogen fuel is stored in liquid form, then the storage volume is reduced, but the boiling point becomes extremely low
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages the extremely low boiling point of liquid hydrogen through controlled phase transitions. The vaporizer assembly provides controlled heating to transition liquid hydrogen to gaseous form, while the cryogenic tank maintains the liquid state during storage by isolating from ambient heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaporizer assembly acts as an intermediary between the liquid hydrogen storage and the combustion system. It provides controlled thermal input to convert liquid hydrogen to gaseous form, protecting the combustion system from direct contact with cryogenic temperatures while maintaining the benefits of liquid storage.
3Ease of operation
If a pump is used to deliver liquid hydrogen, then the fuel delivery control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel delivery system is segmented into distinct functional assemblies: liquid hydrogen delivery assembly with pump for precise control, gaseous hydrogen delivery assembly for supplemental flow, and vaporizer assembly for phase transition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator assembly serves multiple functions: it regulates pressure for the combustor, mixes hydrogen with air, and controls the timing and amount of gaseous hydrogen injection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
4Quantity of substance
If only liquid hydrogen storage is used, then the power density is improved, but the adaptability to different flight phases is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between liquid and gaseous hydrogen delivery modes based on flight phase requirements. During high-power phases like takeoff and climb, the system transitions to gaseous hydrogen delivery or combines both modes to provide the necessary power output adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel system is divided into liquid hydrogen delivery assembly and gaseous hydrogen delivery assembly that can operate independently or together. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different flight phases by selecting the appropriate delivery mode or combining both for maximum power output.
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 enables efficient operation of aircraft engines by providing the necessary hydrogen fuel flow rates during various flight phases, including high-power operations, while maintaining compact storage and quick fuel delivery adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to convert the liquid hydrogen fuel to a gaseous hydrogen fuel
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to deliver the liquid hydrogen fuel through the liquid hydrogen delivery assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a fuel system for a vehicle having an engine, the fuel system comprising a fuel delivery system, the fuel delivery system including a liquid hydrogen delivery assembly and a regulator assembly, the regulator assembly having a buffer tank, the method including: providing a first flow of hydrogen fuel from a liquid hydrogen fuel tank through the liquid hydrogen delivery assembly to the regulator assembly, wherein providing the first flow of hydrogen fuel includes pumping the first flow of hydrogen fuel through the liquid hydrogen delivery assembly using a pump at a first fuel flowrate; receiving data indicative of a commanded fuel flowrate to the engine, wherein the commanded fuel flowrate is higher than the first fuel flowrate; and providing stored hydrogen fuel from a gaseous fuel storage to the engine.