GREENAIR - Generation of Hydrogen by Kerosene Reforming via Efficient and Low Emission new Alternative, Innovative, Refined Technologies for Aircraft Application
Overview
Background & policy context:
Fuel cells for power generation and additional purposes aboard aircraft have a promising potential to contribute to making aircraft greener and thus to 'greening of air transport' which is a superior goal of European policy of climate change. GREENAIR is addressing one of the key problems for fuel cell application aboard an aircraft - the generation of Hydrogen from Jet fuel (Kerosene) which will be the aeronautic fuel for the next decades also.
Objectives:
Support the development of more electric aircraft:
- replacement of hydraulic and pneumatic actuators with electric actuators;
- better management of energy use;
- decrease of operation costs (maintenance).
with alternative approaches to on-board energy generation. The use of H2 powered fuel cells with high energy efficiency through on-board H2 generation from kerosene.
Methodology:
While mainstream fuel processors (e.g. autothermal reforming) have been intensely investigated already, GREENAIR focussed on two novel and unconventional methods to overcome some hurdles of mainstream reforming technologies:
- Microwave Plasma Assisted Reforming (PAF), goal: development from TRL3 to TRL5;
- Partial Dehydrogenation fuel processing (PDh), goal: development from TRL2 to TRL4;
- Kerosene Fractionation will be investigated in addition. It shall extract fractions out of Kerosene favourable for reforming to facilitate the PAF and the PDh processes.
The physical and chemical fundamentals of these methods were elaborated. Furthermore, aircraft integration and safety concepts were elaborated. For both methods, breadboard fuel processor systems were built and tested for proof of concepts under standard and simulated flight conditions. Widespread dissemination via a website, publications and conference contributions and a special Forum will be ensured. Training and education of young scientists is foreseen.
GREENAIR combines 13 beneficiaries from 7 European countries which are from aircraft and fuel cell related industry as well as institutes and SME's excelling in fuel cell and catalysis R&D. It established links to the JTIs ( CLEANSKY and Fuel Cells and Hydrogen ) to maximise synergies. The consortium of this project is well balanced in terms of the mix (also geographically): two SME's, seven Academia and four industry partners.
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