Propulsion system integration for a first-generation hydrogen civil airliner?

J Huete,D Nalianda,P Pilidis

doi:10.1017/aer.2021.36

Abstract

ABSTRACTAn unusual philosophical approach is proposed here to decarbonise larger civil aircraft that fly long ranges and consume a large fraction of civil aviation fuel. These inject an important amount of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and holistic decarbonising solutions must consider this sector. A philosophical–analytical investigation is reported here on the feasibility of an airliner family to fly over long ranges and assist in the elimination of carbon dioxide emissions from civil aviation.Backed by state-of-the-art correlations and engine performance integration analytical tools, a family of large airliners is proposed based on the development and integration of the body of a very large two-deck four-engine airliner with the engines, wings and flight control surfaces of a very long-range twin widebody jet. The proposal is for a derivative design and not a retrofit. This derivative design may enable a swifter entry to service.The main contribution of this study is a philosophical one: a carefully evaluated aircraft family that appears to have very good potential for first-generation hydrogen-fuelled airliners using gas turbine engines for propulsion. This family offers three variants: a 380-passenger aircraft with a range of 3,300nm, a 330-passenger aircraft with a range of 4,800nm and a 230-passenger aircraft with a range of 5,500nm. The latter range is crucially important because it permits travel from anywhere in the globe to anywhere else with only one stop. The jet engine of choice is a 450kN high-bypass turbofan.

Highlights

INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS METHODThe use of hydrogen as a civil aviation fuel is an alternative to decarbonise aviation[1,2,3]
This study examines a possible scenario into the first innovation wave to offer aircraft decarbonisation scenarios long before 2050 by maximising the use of the current state of the art
The study described here follows such an approach for a propulsion system in a medium/long-range aircraft design, where the focus is on the first wave of innovation aimed at a swift entry into service and the environmental reward is achieved by the faster deployment of carbon-free systems replacing carbon-emitting equipment

Summary

Introduction

INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS METHODThe use of hydrogen as a civil aviation fuel is an alternative to decarbonise aviation[1,2,3]. The main contribution of this study is a philosophical one: a carefully evaluated aircraft family that appears to have very good potential for first-generation hydrogen-fuelled airliners using gas turbine engines for propulsion. Switching jet engine fuel to hydrogen promises to decarbonise civil aviation if hydrogen production is carbon free and aircraft engines deliver very low NOx emissions.

Results

Conclusion