Integration of cryogenic tanks and fuel cells for future hydrogen-powered aircraft

Abstract: Hydrogen is seen as the green fuel of the future for the aeronautical sector allowing to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial aviation. It is well established that the release of carbon emissions triggers global warming. Aviation, like many other industries, must reduce them. This study aims to integrate cryogenic hydrogen storage onboard an existing aircraft and study two different propulsion systems, namely hydrogen combustion and fuel cells. A cryogenic tank was modelled and then designed to fit in the fuselage of an A321. Two configurations were studied, one consisting of one tank at the rear and the other with two tanks, one at the front and one at the aft. The result showed a significant variation of the centre of gravity for the rear tank configuration, whether the airplane is empty or with payload. Among the two propulsion systems investigated, hydrogen combustion requires less of a technological leap than hydrogen fuel cell aircraft. The limitation would be the range due to the lack of volume onboard the aircraft to store the hydrogen fuel. But this new type of propulsion could lay the groundwork for future fuel cell aircraft. The fuel cells technology still needs to improve its power density to compete with current engines but would o er more efficient aircraft and therefore greater range.