MTU Recognizes Fuel Cells As The Optimal Technology For Achieving Emissions-Free Aviation

MTU Aero Engines continues to support a liquid hydrogen powertrain for commuter and regional aircraft that will enter service by the mid-2030s.

Lars Wagner, the chief executive of Airbus, said at last week's Paris airshow that he believes that fuel cells will be the future technology for zero-emission flights.

MTU has already begun working with Germany's DLR aeronautical research institute on a demonstration of a fuel-cell powertrain aboard an upgraded 19-seat Dornier 228. This aircraft could be flying by the middle decade.

Wagner believes that the "sweet spot", for a fuel-cell propulsion system, is an aircraft with 100 passengers capable of flying up to 1,850km (1,850nm) of routes. This aircraft would be available around 2050.

Augsburg's MT Aerospace was recently recruited for the Do 228 Project. They will be working with MTU on a joint development of a liquid hydrogen fueling system. Testing is expected to start later this year.

eMoSys, a recent MTU acquisition, will also supply a 600kW motor to the effort.

Wagner insists that the project is a demonstration only. One of Dornier's Honeywell TPE331 engine will be replaced with a hydrogen powertrain.

"We will test it out and see the capabilities of the fuel cell and the stacks and then scale it upwards," he mentions.

"As you know, there's no product available today, and there's no customer or airframer signed up for the fuel cells."

MTU considers the hydrogen-electric drivetrain a "promising technology". However, Wagner states that years of testing and research will be required to show such a system can be both certified and feasible.

Moreover, an airframer will be needed, as "you cannot just replace the turboprop motor [in an existing aircraft] and put a fuel cell in - ideally you need a clean-sheet design".

Due to hydrogen storage limitations, Wagner believes that fuel cells can only power a 100-seater vehicle with a range of 1,000nm.

"It's challenging enough to bring it up to a 100-seater," he says. "In my view [each step grows by] 20 seats, so you need a 20-, 40-, 60-, 80-seater."

 

Source: flightglobal.com