Review on Fuel Cell Technologyfor Its Potential to Develop

More Fuel Efficient Regional Jets

Skylead, Inc.

Competitiveness in RJ manufacturing industry is going up due to the growth of CRJ and ERJ.

Producer of CRJ series

Producer of ERJ series

New Entrants to RJ Manufacturing Industry will also accelerate this competitive trend.

MRJ from Japan

Sukhoi Superjet from Russia

COMAC ARJ from China

40% of the new orders from airlines is to replace less efficient airplanes due to the rise of fuel costs.

RJ with the capacity up to 130 passengers will occupy 70% of the total world fleet by 2030.

Skylead has chances to maintain its demand by developing further fuel efficient RJs with new technologies.

Fuel Cell Technology

I researched on Fuel Cell Technology for its potential to achieve our goal.

1. Mechanism of Fuel Cell System

2. Fuel Efficiency of Fuel Cell Technology

3. Applicability of Fuel Cell Technology to Passenger Aircrafts

Overview

In fuel cells, reactants’ chemical energy is directly transformed into electrical energy and harmless products: water and heat.

Input: H2 & O2

Output: Electricity,H2O & Heat

A number of fuel cells are integrated to compose one battery, called Fuel cell Stack.

A Number of Fuel Cells

One Fuel Cell Stack

Fuel cell stack is only a part of fuel cell system and the fuel cell system works as a part of other systems for applications.

Bradley made comparisons on the energy density or fuel efficiency between 4 types of fuel cell powerplans and conventional powerplants at a variety of power and energy scales suitable for wide aviation applications.

Thomas Heenan Bradley conducted Conceptual Comparison Study.

Bradley concludes strength of each fuel cell depends on where fuel cells supply power and how long they get used.

　

There exist potential parts of passenger aircrafts that can be replaced with Fuel Cell systems.

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Ram Air Turbine (RAT)

Other potential applications

・ Reducing the Load of Water at Takeoffs ・ Reuse of the Fuel Cell Exhaust Air for Inerting Systems of the Fuel Tanks ・ Power source of avionics ・ Electric motor-powered ground taxing ・ Exhaust heat utilization for anti-icing device

III. There exist potential parts of passenger aircrafts that can be replaced with Fuel Cell systems.

Fuel cell system works as a part of other systems for applications.

Strength of each fuel cell technology depends on where fuel cells supply power and how long they get used.

Fuel cell technology is applicable to passenger aircrafts with some tasks and it brings additional benefits compared to the conventional power generating systems.

Summary

Fuel cell technology requires other power conditioning systems for passenger aircrafts applications.

Realization does lead to further fuel efficiency and also brings a lot of benefits compared to the conventional systems.

Conclusion

References  Bradley, T. H. (2008). Modeling, design and energy management of fuel cell systems for aircraft (Order No. 3345942). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304653903). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/docview/304653903?accountid=11789

Gross, D. (2009). Hydrogen in Transport. Cleantech Investor. Retrieved from http://www.cleantechinvestor.com/portal/fuel-cells/5382-fuel-cells-in-aircraft.html

PowerCell. (2015). PowerCell. Fuel Cell Markets. Retrieved from http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com/powercell_PEM_Fuel_Cell_Stacks_System/products_and_services/3,1,28690,17,28699.html

  Sloan, C. (2014, February). The Bombardier CSeries Rolls Out but is it A Game

Changer? The Bombardier CSeries Rolls Out but is it A Game Changer? Airways News. Retrieved from http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2013/03/08/the-bombardier-cseries-rolls-out-but-is- it - a-game-changer/  U.S. Department of Energy. (2015). FUEL CELLS. Washington, DC: Office of Energ

Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Retrieved from http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cel 

Thank you for your participation!

Skylead, Inc. Yuki Busujima