Environmentalism Meets Aviation
Boeing researchers and their European industry partners are
planning to conduct experimental test flights this year of a manned
airplane powered only by a fuel cell and lightweight batteries. In
an effort to develop environmentally progressive technologies for
aerospace applications, the group will travel to Spain to conduct
testing on systems that have been in development since 2003.
The integration phase of the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane
research project was completed recently. Thorough systems
integration testing is now under way in preparation for upcoming
ground and flight testing, according to Boeing.
"Given the efficiency and environmental benefits of emerging
fuel cell technology, Boeing wants to be on the forefront of
developing and applying it to aerospace products," said Francisco
Escarti, BR&TE managing director, which is part of the Boeing
Phantom Works advanced R&D unit. "The Fuel Cell Demonstrator
Airplane project is an important step in that direction."
The goal of the test flights is to demonstrate for the first
time that a manned airplane can maintain straight and level flight,
with fuel cells as it's only power source.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen
directly into electricity and heat without combustion. Fuel cells
are emission-free and quieter than hydrocarbon fuel-powered
engines. They save fuel and are cleaner for the environment.
The aircraft being tested uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric
motor, which is coupled to a conventional propeller. During takeoff
and climb, the flight segment that eats the most power, the system
draws on lightweight lithium-ion batteries. While cruising, all
power will be drawn from the fuel cell.
"While Boeing does not
envision that fuel cells will provide primary power for future
commercial passenger airplanes, demonstrations like this help pave
the way for potentially using this technology in small manned and
unmanned air vehicles," Escarti said. "It also gives us hands-on
experience to complement other fuel-cell studies being carried out
throughout the company."
There is definite promise in fuel cell technology as well as the
PEM system. There is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell that could be applied
to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power
units. Potential use in commercial aviation could be realized in 10
to 15 years.
The demonstrator aircraft is a Dimona motor glider, built by
Austria's Diamond Aircraft Industries. The motor glider has a wing
span of 53.5 feet (16.3 meters) and should cruise around 62 miles
per hour on fuel cell power.