Fuel cells in the air

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY, October 7, 2008. A manned airplane that can take-off and fly exclusively with a fuel cell has been presented at Stuttgart airport by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

The fuel cell, based on a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), generates power for the electric engine of the motor glider Antares DLR-H2.

High temperature PEM fuel cells operate at 120 to 180°C, need no humidification, require only a simple cooling system, offer a broad operating window and tolerate impurities in the hydrogen fuel gas. The latter characteristic is especially important if, in the future, impure hydrogen is sourced from jet fuel reformation on board the aircraft.

The aim of the project is to evaluate the potential of the technology for future applications in commercial aircraft as fuel cells could become an environmentally sound and energy efficient alternative for an aircraft’s electrical requirements. As an auxiliary power supply, a fuel cell would generate electrical power, heat and even potable water for on-board usage.

Fuel cells would thereby help reduce weight and electrical power failure risk as several distributed fuel cells replace the turbine generators. For the foreseeable future fuel cells are not expected to be used for large commercial aircraft propulsion.

Before being adapted for aircraft the technology needs further development and testing. First results from the DLR testing demonstrate “excellent performance” of the high temperature PEM fuel cells even under difficult low pressure conditions.

Three partners are cooperating in the evaluation of the high temperature PEM fuel cell: BASF, as manufacturer of the only commercial membrane electrode assembly for this fuel cell type; the Danish company Serenergy A/S, supplier of the compact, air-cooled stack; and, DLR, responsible for the integration of the stack in the fuel cell system and subsequently in the airplane. DLR will also conduct the testing according to the special requirements of aviation.

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