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Model-based assessment of the environmental impacts of fuel cell systems designed for eVTOLs.

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Title: Model-based assessment of the environmental impacts of fuel cell systems designed for eVTOLs.
Authors: Melo, Sofia Pinheiro1,2 (AUTHOR) s.pinheiro-melo@tu-braunschweig.de, Toghyani, Somayeh2,3 (AUTHOR), Cerdas, Felipe1,2 (AUTHOR), Liu, Xi2,3 (AUTHOR), Gao, Xin2,3 (AUTHOR), Lindner, Luisa1,2 (AUTHOR), Barke, Alexander2,4 (AUTHOR), Thies, Christian2,4 (AUTHOR), Spengler, Thomas S.2,4 (AUTHOR), Herrmann, Christoph1,2 (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Jan2023, Vol. 48 Issue 8, p3171-3187. 17p.
Subjects: Environmental impact analysis, Vertically rising aircraft, Fuel systems, Systems design
Abstract: Hydrogen fuel cells have increasingly gained relevance for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft due to their potential to overcome the main challenges related to batteries. Previous studies have investigated their feasibility for urban air mobility; however, a robust assessment of their environmental implications is still lacking. To fill this gap, this study follows a model-based life cycle engineering approach to quantify the environmental impacts of a fuel cell system designed for three ranges. The production burdens distributed along the lifetime are demonstrated, showing that, for the best case scenario, 70g CO 2 -eq. per passenger-kilometer is achieved. Under the premise of green hydrogen production, the stack is the main contributor to the environmental impacts. This changes for non-renewable hydrogen production pathways, where hydrogen has the highest impact contributions. Better environmental performance results from short design ranges; however, systems designed for longer ranges will likely increase attractiveness in the future. • Life cycle engineering-based models introduced for the field of aviation. • Environmental burdens of H 2 fuel cell power source (FCPS) for Urban Air Mobility. • The FCPS is elaborately sized for design ranges by thermodynamic modeling. • Superior environmental performance of FCPS designed for shorter ranges eVTOLs. • Future development scenarios improve the feasibility of FCPS for longer ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Hydrogen fuel cells have increasingly gained relevance for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft due to their potential to overcome the main challenges related to batteries. Previous studies have investigated their feasibility for urban air mobility; however, a robust assessment of their environmental implications is still lacking. To fill this gap, this study follows a model-based life cycle engineering approach to quantify the environmental impacts of a fuel cell system designed for three ranges. The production burdens distributed along the lifetime are demonstrated, showing that, for the best case scenario, 70g CO 2 -eq. per passenger-kilometer is achieved. Under the premise of green hydrogen production, the stack is the main contributor to the environmental impacts. This changes for non-renewable hydrogen production pathways, where hydrogen has the highest impact contributions. Better environmental performance results from short design ranges; however, systems designed for longer ranges will likely increase attractiveness in the future. • Life cycle engineering-based models introduced for the field of aviation. • Environmental burdens of H 2 fuel cell power source (FCPS) for Urban Air Mobility. • The FCPS is elaborately sized for design ranges by thermodynamic modeling. • Superior environmental performance of FCPS designed for shorter ranges eVTOLs. • Future development scenarios improve the feasibility of FCPS for longer ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03603199
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.083