NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
A Study on the Use of Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells for Increased Power Generation on Small AircraftA growing demand for higher-power electrical equipment on aircraft is driving the exploration of alternative electrical power generation devices. “Hybrid-electric” aircraft architectures that leverage multiple or alternative power sources are also becoming more popular with rising concerns over efficiency. Fuel cells are particularly interesting as auxiliary or secondary electrical power generation devices, due to their relative efficiency and longevity, and could be used as a “power pod” for vehicles without enough on-board electrical generation capability. This paper examines the feasibility and potential value of using an externally-mounted, hybridelectric, solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power system on a Class IV unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the purpose of power generation in excess of the baseline electrical load. Moreover, the paper will demonstrate that a SOFC auxiliary power unit (APU) provides significant value to an aircraft by producing a relatively large amount of additional electrical power for a relatively low initial investment when compared to producing additional power by scaling the engine.




Document ID
20190033420
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Litherland, Brandon L.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Borer, Nicholas K.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Geuther, Steven C.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
December 6, 2019
Publication Date
June 17, 2019
Subject Category
Aircraft Propulsion And Power
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-33185
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Aviation
Location: Dallas, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: June 17, 2019
End Date: June 21, 2019
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 533127.02.17.07.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available