Integrated Zero-Emission Aviation using a Robust Hybrid Architecture

Dr. JiangBiao He Program: NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) Lead Org: Florida State University Abstract The proposed project is an academic-industry collaboration focused on achieving zero emissions from large passenger electric aircraft. Avoidance of both CO2 and NOx compels consideration of novel hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion architectures. Our approach considers electric power generation via a combination of a hydrogen-oxygen turbine and hydrogen solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), with power distribution to electric propulsors via a superconducting network. Power density, energy density, and mission profile considerations lead to consideration of cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LO2) and their concentrated gaseous forms (GH2, GO2), which creates multiple temperature zones that can be utilized to optimize the efficiency of power electronics and other subsystems by studying thermal management and system trade-offs. Our team has experts in electric power, energy storage/conversion, propulsion, cryogenics, superconductivity, thermal management, motors, power electronics and distribution, and aircraft systems with an extensive collaborative history and unmatched capabilities. Research will conduct modeling and design trade-off studies to achieve multidisciplinary design optimization, followed by sub-system demonstrations of key components for validation and implementation. In this project, Dr. JiangBiao He and Dr. Dan Ionel at the University of Kentucky, will lead the development of electric propulsion motor and the related online health monitoring, which is one of the most critical elements for the aircraft electrical systems.