- Hydrogen aircraft technology overview – Cranfield Aerospace
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is converting a conventional Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion (Project Fresson). The aircraft will demonstrate the viability of hydrogen aircraft technology as a solution to aviation’s sustainability challenges.
The Hydrogen Islander Demonstrator Aircraft
The demonstrator aircraft is set to begin a test flight programme in 2024, with the view to certifying the hydrogen version of the world-famous Islander for commercial entry into service in 2026.
Having carried out baseline flight tests of G-HYUK – the unmodified Islander which will be used as the demonstrator aircraft, Cranfield Aerospace will next year use the aircraft as a flying testbed for its hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system (HFCPS).
The demonstrator aircraft will be converted by replacing one of its two piston engines with the HFCPS, which will generate 240 kW of electrical power and produce up to 220 kW from the motor.
“The CAeS propulsion system design does not include batteries for transient power needs such as a go-around due to the fact that we have sized the hydrogen fuel-cell system so no battery energy storage is required and the HFCS power output is controlled directly to achieve the necessary responsiveness and stability without a buffer energy store.” – Director of Engineering at CAes, Rob Marsh.
The technology demonstrator is a significant step toward the production solution as the Islander’s HFCS and election propulsion unit, which includes the motor and inverter will be packaged into the nacelle in a representative way to what the 2026 product will be.
Heat challenges
Removing the heat that a HFCS produces is one of the key challenges. CAeS’ demonstrator will have two Reaction Engine heat exchangers mounted underneath the converted nacelle, sized to reject the full amount of heat produced.
Not representative of the production solution, the design will be optimised into a smaller configuration more akin to the existing air intake for the production version.
The larger than production version heat exchangers also pose a drag issue for the demonstrator hydrogen aircraft, and as such the aircraft will house the pressurised gaseous hydrogen fuel tank inside the fuselage.
As displayed in the hydrogen Islander render, the production version will mount the hydrogen tanks externally on the underside of the aircraft’s wing.
To develop the demonstrator CAeS has collaborated with UK companies Ricardo for the fuel-cell system, Evolito the electric motor and Reaction Engines the heat exchanger.
The Hydrogen Islander Product
The hydrogen Islander aircraft product will have fully optimised zero-carbon technology which will allow the aircraft to carry out many of the missions it fulfils today in its conventional hydro-carbon form, and open up new opportunities for regional connectivity and super commuter services in urban areas.
The product, which will have capacity for 6-8 passengers, will carry out missions such as connecting remote communities, commuting and tourist flights can also be configured for cargo purposes.
With a 60-minute flight endurance plus a 45-minute reserve, the product hydrogen Islander has a 200km range plus reserve.
The zero-carbon version will also benefit from a noise reduction and less vibration, enhancing the passenger experience on the Islander.
Find out more information about our hydrogen aircraft solution here, and stay up to date with our progress by following us on Linkedin.
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