Fuel Cells are Focus of H2Expo 2011

In 2012 the new Antares is to fly across the Atlantic. This CO2-free glider, built by Lange Research Aircraft GmbH with DLR (the German Aerospace Center), is not only on track for records, but also for market success. “We are already very close to market viability in special-purpose applications such as surveillance functions,” says Prof. K. Andreas Friedrich, Head of Department at the Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics of DLR. The next generation of passenger aircraft is also looking for lower emissions and higher energy efficiency. “Fuel cells are the key green technology in aircraft,” said Barnaby Law, Head of Integrated Fuel Cell at Airbus Operations GmbH. Reports on the latest state of research will be given by Mr. Law and Prof. Friedrich at H2Expo in Hamburg on 8 and 9 June. The 8th International Conference and Exhibition on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Electric Drives is regarded as the forum for intensive exchange of know-how in these areas.
 
Some 70 speakers from 11 countries are expected at the conference, presenting the latest developments in research and application and discussing current projects. Other major areas alongside aviation are shipping, infrastructure and electric drives. The accompanying exhibition is a showcase for the industry to present its market-specific products and services.
 
FC systems will not come into consideration to power passenger aircraft for the foreseeable future. That would require “a major step up in their power density,” says Prof. Friedrich. “We can hope for quantum leaps, we cannot rely on them.” But the technology is promising for Auxiliary Power Units (APU). Airbus is taking a multifunctional approach, also using by-products of fuel cells such as water vapour, heat and oxygen-depleted air to increase the overall efficiency of the aircraft. “This is about more than a substitute APU,” said Mr. Law in the run-up to H2Expo. For example, oxygen-depleted gas can be used for creating an inert atmosphere in tanks – a new regulation of the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) stipulates that the atmosphere in kerosene tanks must not be flammable. An aircraft-capable FC system of the kind developed by Airbus and DLR in the aviation research programme Lufo IV can achieve zero emission ground operation in future. An electric nosewheel drive for an Airbus A320 is to be tested in Hamburg before the end of this month, together with Lufthansa Technik.
 
“This is a multi-disciplinary subject which has a huge impact on the architecture of the aircraft,” says Barnaby Law. A complex integration task, which Dr. Michael Enzinger, Programme Director for Fuel Cell Development at Airbus, regards as half completed at the present time – “Technically it is clear that this is feasible and useful.” This forward looking FC system will already be available for aircraft of the next generation. The aim is to make “a better aircraft, which is significantly more eco-efficient.”
 
FC technology is close to market application, as apparent in “ground aviation”. Electric vehicles are a big issue for the future, for ground support equipment, that is apron vehicles such as luggage tugs and tractors, buses and belt loaders – and the options there are batteries or hydrogen and fuel cells, according to Dr. Joachim Wolf, Chairman of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Initiative of the state of Hesse will tackle this subject at the conference, focusing on Frankfurt Airport. He notes that in general terms, exchange with other locations is decisive at the present stage of market development. “What is needed is joint applications, to build up a demand position,” he says, adding that it is important to focus and identify a common denominator, for example in towing truck or fork lift truck types – “That gives larger volumes for system and infrastructure suppliers.”
 
Sustainable utility concepts are also a focus of aviation attention in Japan, China and Korea. But German airports are well placed by international comparison, especially in terms of the technical development status of the concepts, according to Dr. Wolf. He highlights in particular the internationally admired National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), because it is supporting demonstration projects “which would otherwise not be possible”. Thus the NIP project BRIST addresses the integration of multifunctional FC systems in the aircraft; another flagship project on “Airports” is currently in preparation.
 
Low-temperature PEM-FCs (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells) are first choice at the present time, according to Prof. Friedrich – they are technically well developed, producing relatively high power density. The current preference is to carry hydrogen in tanks. But there will be reports at the conference on alternative concepts, too. Such as the presentation by Dr. Joachim Pasel, Jülich Research Centre, on the latest developments in kerosene reforming. Hydrogen production from kerosene by partial dehydration is addressed in presentations by Kan-Ern Liew of EADS Germany and Dr. Antje Wörner of DLR.
 
The latest developments in FC technology in aviation will be addressed in a presentation by the Centre for Applied Aviation Research (ZAL). ZAL is the technology and research platform for Hamburg, together with partners such as the City of Hamburg, Airbus Operations, DLR and Lufthansa Technik. It includes the highly reputed Fuel Cell Lab (FCL) with its test facilities for aviation-related FC research.
 
The complete conference programme with the specific subjects and all speakers is available at the website. For further information, please visit www.h2expo.de and www.h2expo.com