Solid Hydride Storage for Aircraft Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas turbine engines used in aircraft rely on non-renewable fossil fuels, producing greenhouse gases and particulate emissions, and alternative fuels face challenges in energy density and land use, making them unsuitable for powering large aircraft efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A propulsion system utilizing a solid hydride storage unit to generate gaseous hydrogen fuel, which is then directed to a combustion chamber to power an engine, such as a gas turbine, through a controlled heating process, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and reducing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If non-renewable fossil fuel is used in gas turbine engines, then energy density and efficiency are improved, but greenhouse gas emissions and particulate emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel from fossil-based hydrocarbons to solid fuel containing hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in specific ratios. This parameter change allows the fuel to burn more cleanly while maintaining energy density, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while preserving the energy characteristics needed for gas turbine operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of solid fuel (which could produce particulate emissions) into a benefit by carefully controlling the fuel composition to include hydrogen and oxygen. This composition control ensures that the solid fuel burns completely to produce water vapor instead of harmful particulates, while still maintaining high energy density for efficient gas turbine operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If plant-based alternative fuels are used, then renewable energy source is achieved, but land use issues arise in volumes sufficient to be impactful

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidland use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the alternative fuel from liquid plant-based fuels to solid fuel form. This parameter change enables much higher energy density by volume, meaning that the same amount of energy can be stored in a fraction of the space, thereby reducing the land area needed for fuel production and storage while maintaining sustainability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material composition for the solid fuel, combining hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in specific ratios. This composite approach creates a fuel that achieves high energy density similar to fossil fuels while being derived from renewable sources, thus providing sustainability without requiring extensive land use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If partial- or all-electric propulsion concepts are used, then alternative to fossil fuel is achieved, but energy and power densities are insufficient for powering large aircraft over useful distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealternative fuel capabilityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the alternative fuel from liquid or gaseous form to solid fuel form. This parameter change achieves much higher energy density by volume, making it suitable for powering large aircraft over useful distances while maintaining the alternative fuel capability to replace fossil fuels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This system provides a sustainable, low-emission power source for aircraft, reducing greenhouse gas production and minimizing contrail formation, with the added benefit of recyclable materials and efficient refueling processes.

Implementation Method 1

the gaseous hydrogen fuel is desorbed from the solid hydride storage unit by an application of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 2

the combustion chamber is receptive of the gaseous hydrogen fuel drawn from the solid hydride storage unit by the piping system and is configured to combust the gaseous hydrogen fuel to drive an operation of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11982233B2Combustion chamber with solid fuel

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 RTX CORP

AI summary

A propulsion system is provided and includes a solid hydride storage unit from which gaseous hydrogen fuel is drawn, an engine comprising a combustion chamber and a piping system to draw the gaseous hydrogen fuel from the solid hydride storage unit, the piping system being interposed between the solid hydride storage unit and the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is receptive of the gaseous hydrogen fuel drawn from the solid hydride storage unit by the piping system and is configured to combust the gaseous hydrogen fuel to drive an operation of the engine.