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MEMORANDUM
TO: Supervisor for New Technology Development Department
FROM: Technology Development Engineering Leader
DATE: 1 July, 2015
SUBJECT: Review on Fuel Cell Technology for Its Potential to Develop More Fuel
Efficient Regional Jets
Here is the report you requested on June 18 as to research on fuel cell technology for its
potential to develop more fuel efficient regional jets.
Based on this research, it was validated that fuel cell technology brings to our regional jets a
lot of benefits in terms of achieving further fuel efficiency. As Airbus suggested, integrating
fuel cell technology into our regional jets systems could lead to as much as 15 percent more
fuel efficiency.
In this paper, fuel cell technology is studied based on 3 essential aspects of mechanism, fuel
efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts. For the mechanism of fuel cell technology,
its fundamentals are revealed. Next, fuel efficiency of fuel cell technology is validated.
Finally, the potential applicability of fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts is examined.
I am grateful to my supervisor, Cheryl Rauh for helping me solve my questions to compose
this research paper in a professional way. Her support contributed greatly to the success of
completing this research project.
Please email me if you perceive any questions in regards to the contents of this research
paper. I would be happy to answer your questions and also to implement additional research
at your request.
Review on Fuel Cell Technology
for Its Potential to Develop More Fuel Efficient Regional Jets
Prepared for: Cheryl Rauh, Supervisor for New Technology Development Department
Prepared by: Yuki Busujima, Technology Development Engineering Leader
ii
Abstract
Skylead is facing a competitive age to maintain share of its regional jets (RJs) due to other RJ
manufacturers’ technological advances in fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ producers.
In order to maintain share of our RJs, Sky lead must develop further fuel efficient RJs with
new technologies.
However, before development, Skylead must build solid foundation of what technology
presents a viable option to achieve our goal. In this paper, fuel cell technology is examined to
validate its potential for achieving further fuel efficiency as Airbus suggested this technology
could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency. I conducted research based on
3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology: mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to
passenger aircrafts using ProQuest Research Libraries and Scholar.Google.com. Also, I only
utilized credible sources based on 5 aspects: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and
purpose to compose this paper. Below are the findings on 3 essential aspects of fuel cell
technology.
First, as to the mechanism of fuel cell technology, it was revealed that fuel cell requires other
subsystems to compose a fuel cell system and the fuel cell system then becomes a part of
powerplant that can be applied to passenger aircrafts.
Second, as to the fuel efficiency of fuel cell technology, it was validated that fuel cell
powered powerplants are more fuel efficient than the conventional internal combustion
powerplants.
Finally, as to the applicability of fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts, it was found that
fuel cell technology is applicable to passenger aircrafts with some tasks that have to be solved
and the application of fuel cell system to passenger aircrafts does achieve further fuel
efficiency with additional benefits compared to the currently used systems.
Through this research, I conclude that the fuel cell technology is worth for Skylead to invest
our funds in to develop further fuel efficient RJs. Based on my conclusion, I recommend the
next research as to making partnerships with other organizations in order to integrate their
fuel cell technologies into our regional jet systems, which will also enable us to estimate
necessary costs for our new development.
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1
Background .........................................................................................................1, 2
Research Methods .................................................................................................. 2
Research Results ................................................................................................... 2
1. Mechanism of Fuel Cell Technology ........................................................................ 2, 3
2. Fuel Efficiency of Fuel Cell Technology ................................................................4, 5, 6
3. Applicability of Fuel Cell Technology to Passenger Aircrafts ..................... 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Conclusion .............................................................................................................11
References ....................................................................................................... 12, 13
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. Illustration of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell .................................. 3
Figure 2. Decomposition of fuel cell aircraft modeling into
application, powerplant system and subsystem modeling domains ................... 3
Figure 3. Results of powerplant [fuel efficiency] comparison ......................................... 6
Figure 4. Multifunctional architecture of the fuel cell system ............................................. 9
1
Introduction
Skylead is facing a competitive age of regional jet (RJ) manufacturing industry due to other
RJ manufacturers’ technological advances for fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ
manufacturers. In order to maintain demand of our RJs in the near future, we must build solid
foundation of what technology presents a viable option for us to develop further fuel efficient
RJs. In this paper, fuel cell technology is studied through research utilizing credible data
bases and credible sources based on its 3 essential aspects of mechanism, fuel efficiency, and
applicability to passenger aircrafts so as to examine whether this technology has a potential to
develop further fuel efficient RJs.
Background
Skylead has been expanding share of its regional jets (RJs) among regional airlines mainly in
the US since 1990s. It is estimated that 41 percent of the US passenger aircraft fleet is
operated by regional carriers and RJ deliveries were dominated by the US market (Curtis,
Rhoades, & Waguespack Jr, 2013). We have led RJ manufacturer industry with pioneering
technologies for fuel efficiency. Many regional airlines have chosen to fly our RJs due to our
top-notch fuel efficient technologies.
However, our competitors of Bombardier and Embraer have come to develop fuel efficient
RJs to a level close to ours. In the next 18 years, it is forecast that these two manufacturers
will grow significantly in sales by meeting higher demand and replacing existing older
aircrafts (Curtis et al., 2013). At the same time, new companies are entering this industry,
such as Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan,
COMAC from China, Sukhoi company from Russia, and HAL/NAL Regional Transport
Aircraft as a future entrant from India.
On the other hand, due to the rise of fuel costs, it is forecast that “the needs [of airlines in the
world] to replace older and less efficient airplanes” will occupy as much as 40 percent of the
new orders of airplanes. In addition, with the definition of RJ expanding to the aircraft that
can carry up to 130 passengers, it is predicted that RJs will occupy “70 percent of the total
world fleet” by 2030 (Curtis et al., 2013).
With this trend, regardless of other competitors, there exist chances for us to succeed in
maintaining future demand of our RJs by developing further fuel efficient RJs with new
technologies. As an option, fuel cell technology is examined in this paper as this technology
2
could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency by integrating to aircrafts’
non-propulsion systems (Graham-Rowe, 2012).
Research Method
To examine whether fuel cell technology has a potential to develop further fuel efficient RJs,
I conducted research based on 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology: mechanism, fuel
efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts using ProQuest Research Library and
Scholar.Google.com with keywords such as fuel cell Fundamentals, fuel cell efficiency, and
applications of fuel cells to aircrafts.
After gathering research sources, I analyzed each of them based on 5 aspects: currency,
relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose in order to utilize only credible sources for this
research paper.
Finally, to explain 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology, I referenced at least 3 sources
for each aspect.
Research Results
1. Mechanism of Fuel Cell System
In this section, I explain how fuel cell system works. “A fuel cell consists of two electrodes- a
[positive electrode] (or anode) and a [negative] electrode (or cathode)- sandwiched around an
electrolyte” and it functions as a device in which reactants’ chemical energy is directly
transformed into electrical energy and harmless products: water and heat (U.S. Department of
Energy; Bradley, 2008). Fuel cell requires hydrogen and oxygen or another oxidizing agent to
produce the dc(direct current) voltage. An illustration of one of the fuel cells, Proton
Exchange Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), is shown in Figure 1 (U.S. DOE, 2015).
As for the difference between conventional batteries and fuel cells, they are similar in that
both of them derive electrical power “from a chemical reaction.” However, battery runs down
when it exhausts stored reactants; fuel cells continue the production of electricity “as long as
its external fuel supply lasts” (Klesius, 2009).
In order to utilize fuel cell as a source of electric power, a number of fuel cells are integrated
to compose one battery, often called fuel cell stack. Then, this fuel cell stack is only a
component of fuel cell system; several subsystems such as water management, thermal
3
management, hydrogen storage, hydrogen management, controls, etc compose fuel cell
system as a whole. Each of them are separate physical components and compose the fuel cell
system as shown in Figure 2 (Bradley, 2008). In addition, other power conditioners, generally
consisting of “a power management device, a traction electric motor, and a motor controller,”
convert the fuel cell system output into the required output voltage and electrical current
(Emadi, Rajashekara, Williamson, & Lukic, 2005; Bradley, 2008). This powerplant then can
be applied to aircrafts. As you can see, fuel cell system works as a part of a lot of other
systems.
Figure 1. Illustration of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) (Taken from
U.S. DOE, 2015)
Figure 2. Decomposition of fuel cell aircraft modeling into application, powerplant
system and subsystem modeling domains (Adapted from Bradley, 2008)
Application
Wing
Mission
Fuselage
Powerplant
Energy Mgt.
Electric Motor
Propeller
Fuel Cell System
Radiator Compressor H2 Tank
Controls Power Mgt.
Stack
Humid. MEA
“A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to
the anode, and air is fed to the
cathode. In a hydrogen fuel cell, a
catalyst at the anode separates
hydrogen molecules into protons
and electrons, which take different
paths to the cathode. The electrons
go through an external circuit,
creating a flow of electricity. The
protons migrate through the
electrolyte to the cathode, where
they unite with oxygen and the
electrons to produce water and
heat” (U.S. DOE, 2015).
4
2. Fuel Efficiency of Fuel Cell Technology
In this section, I explain how fuel cell technology is more feul efficient than conventional
power-generation technology. According to Emadi and others, fuel cell technology performs
overall fuel efficiency and quieter operation due to few moving parts (2005). However, there
exist several types of fuel cell technologies that have different strengths and weaknesses to
achieve fuel efficiency. “[F]or transportation applications” in the near future, “[P]roton
exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), the alkaline fuel
cell, and the phosphoric acid fuel cells” are considered primary fuel cells (Bradley, 2008).
In order to compare the “energy density [or fuel efficiency] of fuel cell and conventional
powerplants at the variety of power and energy scales suitable for wide aviation
applications,” Bradley conducted a study. The study made “a conceptual comparison” on
energy production rate or fuel efficiency for various powerplants with respect to different
power requirements and endurance. 5 types of powerplants were utilized for the conceptual
comparison as follows (Bradley, 2008).
1. Internal Combustion (IC) engine fueled by gasoline
2. PEM fuel cell with gaseous hydrogen storage
3. PEM fuel cell with liquid hydrogen storage
4. SOFC fueled by propane
5. PEM fuel cell fueled by neat methanol
 Settings of the Bradley’ s Study
 “[5 types of powerplants] are composed of fuel storage and energy conversion
components, which convert the energy stored as fuel to propulsive energy.”
 “The specific energy [or fuel efficiency] of the powerplant is the rotational
mechanical energy output of the powerplant, [Watt-hours (Wh)], divided by the
sum of the fuel, fuel tank, and energy converter (engine or fuel cell) mass, [kg].”
In another word, the specific energy or fuel efficiency measure in this study is
Wh/kg.
 “The specific energy of the powerplant is calculated at endurances between 1
and 100,000 min. and powers between 10 and 100,000 W.”
(Bradley, 2008)
The resultant graphs are shown in Figure 3 (Bradley, 2008).
5
 Analyses of the Conceptual Comparison Results.
A) Under the lowest power requirement of 10 watt for the multi-hour endurance of
1,000 minutes, PEM fuel cell fueled by neat methanol outperformed other
powerplants in fuel efficiency (red dotted line showing 1000-2000 Wh/kg) and
proved its aptitude for “the low-power, high energy, small scale applications.”
B) Under the low power requirement of 100 watt for the long endurance of more
than 10,000 minutes, all of the fuel cell powerplants “exhibit higher [fuel
efficiency] than the IC powerplant.”
C) Under the middle power requirement of 1,000 watt for the long endurance of
more than 10,000 minutes, SOFC and IC powerplants perform better fuel
efficiency than the other powerplants except for hydrogen PEM fuel cell.
D) Under the highest power requirement of 100,000 watt for the long endurance of
100,000 minutes, even though the IC engine exhibit higher fuel efficiency than
PEM fuel cell with gaseous hydrogen storage and PEM fuel cell fueled by neat
methanol, PEM fuel cell with liquid hydrogen storage performed much higher in
fuel efficiency than the other powerplants.
(Bradley, 2008)
Overall, except for the condition A, liquid hydrogen PEM fuel cell outperformed other
powerplants. Bradley concludes that each fuel cell has different strengths and weaknesses to
achieve fuel efficiency and strength of each depends on where these fuel cells supply power
and how long they get used (2008).
This study validates the overall better fuel efficiency of fuel cell powerplants than the
conventional powerplants and its usefulness for aircraft applications.
6
Figure 3. Results of powerplant [fuel efficiency] comparison (Adapted from Bradley,
2008)
A
B
C
D
7
3. Applicability of Fuel Cell Technology to Passenger Aircrafts
Fuel cell technology has not yet been realized in passenger aircrafts. However, several
experiments were successfully conducted by aeronautical institutes and large transportation
jet manufactures of Boeing and Airbus toward its applications to passenger aircrafts. In this
section, I introduce potential candidates of fuel cell technologies, successful experimental
examples with fuel cells integrated to aircrafts, potential parts of passenger aircrafts, and
general tasks for the realization of fuel cell applications to passenger aircrafts.
 Potential Candidates of Fuel Cell Technologies
For fuel cell applications to passenger aircrafts, two fuel cell technologies of the SOFC and
PEMFC are primary candidates. However, there still exist tasks for their applications.
 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) : SOFC is considered “theoretically and
conceptually well-suited [for passenger aircraft applications] because of
[its] similarity in operating temperature and the possible hybrid
configurations with gas turbine to increase [fuel] efficiency.” However,
SOFC has mainly two tasks: very low power density and necessity of
incorporating “compact and reliable fuel processors” for aircraft
applications (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).
 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) : As PEMFC was successfully
integrated into automobiles for commercialization, PEMFC is also
considered good candidate for the near-term passenger aircrafts’
applications. However, PEMFC also has several tasks: necessities of
“improving the specific power of the stack,” “[reductions] of the weight of
the [related] components,” and investigations of flight-operation behaviors
(Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).
 Successful Experimental Examples of Fuel Cell Applications
 Boeing attempts : Boeing has successfully developed and flew a two-seater
glider powered by the combination of PEMFC and a lithium-ion battery.
Based on this success, “Boeing studies fuel cells” in order to reduce the
burden of airliner engines from running generators for partial onboard
electricity. Boeing claims that there exist tasks on dependability of fuel
cells in extreme flying conditions (Klesius, 2009).
8
 Airbus attempts: Airbus has successfully integrated a “20 kW emergency power
[PEMFC] system” into A320 and the fuel cell system has successfully
operated the A320’s control surfaces in various flight conditions. Airbus
claims the needs “to increase [Fuel Cell] power density” (Renaouard-Vallet
et al., 2010; Klesius, 2010).
 Potential Parts of Passenger Aircrafts for Fuel Cell Technology Applications
 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
The biggest experimental trend on fuel cell application to the passenger aircraft
is to replace the auxiliary power unit (APU) with fuel cell technology. On the
ground, aircraft systems rely on supplies of electric energy, compressed air and
hydraulic pressure from the APU for their operations before main engines start.
Those aircraft systems include “avionics systems, air conditioning, and the de-
icing devices.” Moreover, the APU is the kick-starter for the main engines. The
APU hands all of its jobs previously mentioned to the main engines thereafter.
Replacing the APU with fuel cell technology for the electrical ground supply
can be great benefits because the APU has many negative aspects such as a low
fuel efficiency of less than 20% of its use, greenhouse gas emission of nitric
oxide and carbon monoxide, and the noise emissions. Replacing the APU with
fuel cell systems can solve all of these negative aspects.(Renouard-Vallet,
Saballus, Schmithals, Schirmer, Kallo, & Friedrich, 2010).
 Ram Air Turbine (RAT)
Another potential application is to the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which produces
electric energy from the ram air to the propeller of its system in the case of all
engine failures. When all engines fail, the aircrafts’ control surfaces are no
longer controllable without other means of electricity supply; the RAT is the
alternate source of electricity supply in this situation. The fuel cell system
supplies power better than the RAT, so that it gives pilots greater controllability
of aircrafts. Since the RAT is also the causes of high maintenance costs and
worse aerodynamics when it is active, replacing this system with fuel cell
technology can lead to overall efficiency (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010;
Lucken, Brombach, & Schulz, 2010).
 Reducing the Load of Water at Takeoffs
9
Fuel cell system can produce about “0.5-0.6 L of water per kW h electrical
power”; in other words, fuel cell system can produce about “50 L of water” with
“100 kW fuel cell power (appropriate for a large aircraft)” for one hour of
operation. In passenger aircrafts, toilets and air humidifier in a cabin can utilize
this substantial amount of water. This utilization of fuel cell generated water
results in the reduction of the load of water at takeoffs; some carriers load as
much as 3000 pounds of water at takeoffs, which is the substantial portion of the
takeoff weight. In order to improve and optimize this potential use of water
generated by fuel cell systems, the system for the distribution of the water inside
a cabin and the water quality are “still [under] research and development”
(Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010; Graham-Rowe, 2012).
 Reuse of the Fuel Cell Exhaust Air for Inerting Systems of the Fuel Tanks
Fuel cell exhaust air contains very little oxygen, as little as 10% of the exhaust
air, so that the fuel cell exhaust air can be utilized for “fire retardation,
suppression, or explosion prevention” inside the fuel tanks; jet fuel cannot start
burning with the “oxygen contents below 12 % by volume.” Therefore, nitrogen
based inerting system can be removed from the fuel tanks by utilizing the fuel
cell exhaust air (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).
Other potential applications of fuel cell technology include power source of avionics,
electrical motor-powered ground taxing, exhaust heat utilization for anti-icing device
of aircrafts. General illustration of application points on passenger aircrafts are
shown in Figure 4 (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).
Figure 4. Multifunctional architecture of the fuel cell system (Taken from
Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010)
10
 General Tasks for the Realization of Fuel Cell Applications
 Prevention of Short Circuits within the Fuel Cell System
In order to realize the replacement of the APU with a fuel cell system, the
development of “new protection arrangements” for a new grid architectures
optimized for fuel cell systems and modern aircrafts is a must. Typically, “fuel
cell systems [require] special operational conditions” and the biggest task of the
application of fuel cell as electricity supply is to prevent the onset of short
circuits within the fuel cell system as it reduces the durability of the fuel cell and
destructs fuel cell stacks due to overheating (Lucken, Brombach, & Schulz.,
2010).
 Prevention of Fuel Cells’ Material Degradation
Fuel cells “[are] prone to material degradation” under various operating
conditions of “low reactant flows,” “high and low humidification levels,” and
“high and low temperatures” With these conditions, the 2-10 μV/ h is the general
degradation range of fuel cells. The management of these conditions “within
application and system abilities” is a key to a success for different applications
of fuel cells. To meet the requirements of different applications, fuel cells may
also be suited to “be custom designed” (Knights, Colbow, St-Pierre, &
Wilkinson., 2004). So, if we adapt fuel cell technology for our new
development, we also have to develop operating condition management system
so as to prevent fuel cell degradation.
 Monitoring and Detection of Abnormalities in the Mechanical Behavior of
Fuel Cell Stack under Vibrating Conditions
Accurate understanding of fuel cells’ mechanical behavior and “the effects of
mechanical loads on their structures [in vibrating environment]” is a must in
order to integrate fuel cells into transportation systems and particularly into
aircrafts. For this purpose, three-dimensional model enabling the prediction of
fuel cell mechanical behavior “in the three axes of excitations: X, Y and Z,”
which is developed based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach, was
proposed by Rouss, Candusso, and Charon. The ANN global model is very
useful to reduce computation time “instead of creating a model for each axis.
This proposed model can be utilized to monitor and detect “abnormalities in the
11
mechanical behavior of [fuel cell] stacks placed under vibrating conditions”
(Rouss, Candusso, & Charon., 2008).
Conclusion
Skylead is facing a competitive age to maintain share of its regional jets (RJs) due to other RJ
manufacturers’ technological advances in fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ producers.
To continue to maintain share of our RJs in the world, Skylead must start to develop further
fuel efficient aircrafts with new technologies. Fuel cell technology is the potential to achieve
this goal, as this technology could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency
by integrating to aircrafts’ non-propulsion systems (Graham-Rowe, 2012).
In this paper, fuel cell technology was studied based on 3 essential aspects; mechanism, fuel
efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts in order to examine its potential for our
new development. For the mechanism of fuel cell technology, the system of fuel cell and the
architecture of fuel cell system were described. In this section, it was found that the fuel cell
system is composed of other power conditioners and it becomes a part of powerplant for it to
be applied to passenger aircrafts.
As for the fuel efficiency of the fuel cell technology, 4 types of fuel cell powerplants were
compared with the conventional internal combustion powerplant in order to validate the fuel
efficiency of fuel cell technology. In this section, it was found that overall fuel cell
powerplants are more fuel efficient than conventional powerplants and the different fuel cell
technology has different strengths based on the purposes of utilization.
Finally, potential candidates of fuel cell technologies, successful experimental examples,
potential parts of passenger aircrafts, and general tasks were examined for the applications of
fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts. In this section, it was found that applications of
fuel cell systems to passenger aircrafts are possible with some tasks and have a number of
benefits in terms of achieving more fuel efficiency compared to the currently used systems.
Through this research on the potential of the fuel cell technology to develop further fuel
efficient RJs, it was validated that the fuel cell technology is worth for Skylead to invest our
funds in to achieve our goal. Based on this validation, I recommend the next research on the
institutes and companies that have developed fuel cell technologies and Skylead will be able
to make partnership with in order to develop fuel cell systems that can be integrated into our
regional jet systems. With this next research, we will also be able to estimate costs to develop
our next generation RJs.
12
References
Bradley, T. H. (2008). Modeling, design and energy management of fuel cell systems
for aircraft (Order No. 3345942). Available from ProQuest Dissertations &
Theses Global. (304653903). Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/docview/304653903?accountid=11789
Curtis, T. Rhoades, D. & Waguespach Jr, B. P. (2013). Regional Jet Aircraft Competitiveness:
Challenges and Opportunities. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ERAU Scholarly
Commons. Retrieved from
http://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=db-management
Emadi, A., Rajashekara, K., Williamson, S.S., Lukic, S.M. (2005, May).
Topological overview of hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicular power
system architectures and configurations. Vehicular Technology, IEEE Transactions
on, vol.54, no.3, pp.763-770. doi: 10.1109/TVT.2005.847445
Graham-Rowe, D. (2012, August). Fuel Cells Take to the Runway, Airbus will test a system
that could reduce fuel consumption by 15 percent. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved
from http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428693/fuel-cells-take-to-the-runway/
Klesius, M. (2009, February). How Things Work: Flying Fuel Cells - Out of gas? Not a
problem. AirspaceMag.com. Retrieved from http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-
today/how-things-work-flying-fuel-cells-47181830/?no-ist=&page=2
Knights, S. D., Colbow, K. M, St-Pierre, J., & Wilkinson, D. P. (2004, March 10). Aging
mechanisms and lifetime of PEFC and DMFC. Journal of Power Sources, vol. 127,
1-2, pp. 127-134, ISSN 0378-7753. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378775303009467#
Lucken, A., Brombach, J., & Schulz, D. (2010, October). Design and protection of a high
voltage DC onboard grid with integrated fuel cell system on more electric aircraft.
Electrical Systems for Aircraft, Railway and Ship Propulsion (ESARS), vol., no.,
pp.1, 6, 19-21. doi: 10.1109/ESARS.2010.5665245
Renouard-Vallet, G., Saballus, M., Schmithals, G., Schirmer, J., Kallo, J.,
& Friedrich, A. (2010). Improving the environmental impact of civil aircraft by
fuel cell technology: concepts and technological progress. Royal Society of Chemistry,
13
1458-1468. doi: 10.1039/B925930A
Rouss, V., Candusso, D., Charon, W. (2008, November). Mechanical behaviour of a fuel cell
stack under vibrating conditions linked to aircraft applications part II:
Three-dimensional modelling. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol33, 21,
pp. 6281-6288, ISSN 0360-3199. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319908009889
U.S. Department of Energy. (2015). FUEL CELLS. Washington, DC: Office of Energ
Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Retrieved from http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-
cel

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Review on fuel cell technology for its potential to develop more fuel efficient regional jets

  • 1. MEMORANDUM TO: Supervisor for New Technology Development Department FROM: Technology Development Engineering Leader DATE: 1 July, 2015 SUBJECT: Review on Fuel Cell Technology for Its Potential to Develop More Fuel Efficient Regional Jets Here is the report you requested on June 18 as to research on fuel cell technology for its potential to develop more fuel efficient regional jets. Based on this research, it was validated that fuel cell technology brings to our regional jets a lot of benefits in terms of achieving further fuel efficiency. As Airbus suggested, integrating fuel cell technology into our regional jets systems could lead to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency. In this paper, fuel cell technology is studied based on 3 essential aspects of mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts. For the mechanism of fuel cell technology, its fundamentals are revealed. Next, fuel efficiency of fuel cell technology is validated. Finally, the potential applicability of fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts is examined. I am grateful to my supervisor, Cheryl Rauh for helping me solve my questions to compose this research paper in a professional way. Her support contributed greatly to the success of completing this research project. Please email me if you perceive any questions in regards to the contents of this research paper. I would be happy to answer your questions and also to implement additional research at your request.
  • 2. Review on Fuel Cell Technology for Its Potential to Develop More Fuel Efficient Regional Jets Prepared for: Cheryl Rauh, Supervisor for New Technology Development Department Prepared by: Yuki Busujima, Technology Development Engineering Leader
  • 3. ii Abstract Skylead is facing a competitive age to maintain share of its regional jets (RJs) due to other RJ manufacturers’ technological advances in fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ producers. In order to maintain share of our RJs, Sky lead must develop further fuel efficient RJs with new technologies. However, before development, Skylead must build solid foundation of what technology presents a viable option to achieve our goal. In this paper, fuel cell technology is examined to validate its potential for achieving further fuel efficiency as Airbus suggested this technology could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency. I conducted research based on 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology: mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts using ProQuest Research Libraries and Scholar.Google.com. Also, I only utilized credible sources based on 5 aspects: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose to compose this paper. Below are the findings on 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology. First, as to the mechanism of fuel cell technology, it was revealed that fuel cell requires other subsystems to compose a fuel cell system and the fuel cell system then becomes a part of powerplant that can be applied to passenger aircrafts. Second, as to the fuel efficiency of fuel cell technology, it was validated that fuel cell powered powerplants are more fuel efficient than the conventional internal combustion powerplants. Finally, as to the applicability of fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts, it was found that fuel cell technology is applicable to passenger aircrafts with some tasks that have to be solved and the application of fuel cell system to passenger aircrafts does achieve further fuel efficiency with additional benefits compared to the currently used systems. Through this research, I conclude that the fuel cell technology is worth for Skylead to invest our funds in to develop further fuel efficient RJs. Based on my conclusion, I recommend the next research as to making partnerships with other organizations in order to integrate their fuel cell technologies into our regional jet systems, which will also enable us to estimate necessary costs for our new development.
  • 4. Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 Background .........................................................................................................1, 2 Research Methods .................................................................................................. 2 Research Results ................................................................................................... 2 1. Mechanism of Fuel Cell Technology ........................................................................ 2, 3 2. Fuel Efficiency of Fuel Cell Technology ................................................................4, 5, 6 3. Applicability of Fuel Cell Technology to Passenger Aircrafts ..................... 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Conclusion .............................................................................................................11 References ....................................................................................................... 12, 13 List of Illustrations Figure 1. Illustration of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell .................................. 3 Figure 2. Decomposition of fuel cell aircraft modeling into application, powerplant system and subsystem modeling domains ................... 3 Figure 3. Results of powerplant [fuel efficiency] comparison ......................................... 6 Figure 4. Multifunctional architecture of the fuel cell system ............................................. 9
  • 5. 1 Introduction Skylead is facing a competitive age of regional jet (RJ) manufacturing industry due to other RJ manufacturers’ technological advances for fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ manufacturers. In order to maintain demand of our RJs in the near future, we must build solid foundation of what technology presents a viable option for us to develop further fuel efficient RJs. In this paper, fuel cell technology is studied through research utilizing credible data bases and credible sources based on its 3 essential aspects of mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts so as to examine whether this technology has a potential to develop further fuel efficient RJs. Background Skylead has been expanding share of its regional jets (RJs) among regional airlines mainly in the US since 1990s. It is estimated that 41 percent of the US passenger aircraft fleet is operated by regional carriers and RJ deliveries were dominated by the US market (Curtis, Rhoades, & Waguespack Jr, 2013). We have led RJ manufacturer industry with pioneering technologies for fuel efficiency. Many regional airlines have chosen to fly our RJs due to our top-notch fuel efficient technologies. However, our competitors of Bombardier and Embraer have come to develop fuel efficient RJs to a level close to ours. In the next 18 years, it is forecast that these two manufacturers will grow significantly in sales by meeting higher demand and replacing existing older aircrafts (Curtis et al., 2013). At the same time, new companies are entering this industry, such as Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan, COMAC from China, Sukhoi company from Russia, and HAL/NAL Regional Transport Aircraft as a future entrant from India. On the other hand, due to the rise of fuel costs, it is forecast that “the needs [of airlines in the world] to replace older and less efficient airplanes” will occupy as much as 40 percent of the new orders of airplanes. In addition, with the definition of RJ expanding to the aircraft that can carry up to 130 passengers, it is predicted that RJs will occupy “70 percent of the total world fleet” by 2030 (Curtis et al., 2013). With this trend, regardless of other competitors, there exist chances for us to succeed in maintaining future demand of our RJs by developing further fuel efficient RJs with new technologies. As an option, fuel cell technology is examined in this paper as this technology
  • 6. 2 could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency by integrating to aircrafts’ non-propulsion systems (Graham-Rowe, 2012). Research Method To examine whether fuel cell technology has a potential to develop further fuel efficient RJs, I conducted research based on 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology: mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts using ProQuest Research Library and Scholar.Google.com with keywords such as fuel cell Fundamentals, fuel cell efficiency, and applications of fuel cells to aircrafts. After gathering research sources, I analyzed each of them based on 5 aspects: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose in order to utilize only credible sources for this research paper. Finally, to explain 3 essential aspects of fuel cell technology, I referenced at least 3 sources for each aspect. Research Results 1. Mechanism of Fuel Cell System In this section, I explain how fuel cell system works. “A fuel cell consists of two electrodes- a [positive electrode] (or anode) and a [negative] electrode (or cathode)- sandwiched around an electrolyte” and it functions as a device in which reactants’ chemical energy is directly transformed into electrical energy and harmless products: water and heat (U.S. Department of Energy; Bradley, 2008). Fuel cell requires hydrogen and oxygen or another oxidizing agent to produce the dc(direct current) voltage. An illustration of one of the fuel cells, Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), is shown in Figure 1 (U.S. DOE, 2015). As for the difference between conventional batteries and fuel cells, they are similar in that both of them derive electrical power “from a chemical reaction.” However, battery runs down when it exhausts stored reactants; fuel cells continue the production of electricity “as long as its external fuel supply lasts” (Klesius, 2009). In order to utilize fuel cell as a source of electric power, a number of fuel cells are integrated to compose one battery, often called fuel cell stack. Then, this fuel cell stack is only a component of fuel cell system; several subsystems such as water management, thermal
  • 7. 3 management, hydrogen storage, hydrogen management, controls, etc compose fuel cell system as a whole. Each of them are separate physical components and compose the fuel cell system as shown in Figure 2 (Bradley, 2008). In addition, other power conditioners, generally consisting of “a power management device, a traction electric motor, and a motor controller,” convert the fuel cell system output into the required output voltage and electrical current (Emadi, Rajashekara, Williamson, & Lukic, 2005; Bradley, 2008). This powerplant then can be applied to aircrafts. As you can see, fuel cell system works as a part of a lot of other systems. Figure 1. Illustration of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) (Taken from U.S. DOE, 2015) Figure 2. Decomposition of fuel cell aircraft modeling into application, powerplant system and subsystem modeling domains (Adapted from Bradley, 2008) Application Wing Mission Fuselage Powerplant Energy Mgt. Electric Motor Propeller Fuel Cell System Radiator Compressor H2 Tank Controls Power Mgt. Stack Humid. MEA “A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode. In a hydrogen fuel cell, a catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons, which take different paths to the cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity. The protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they unite with oxygen and the electrons to produce water and heat” (U.S. DOE, 2015).
  • 8. 4 2. Fuel Efficiency of Fuel Cell Technology In this section, I explain how fuel cell technology is more feul efficient than conventional power-generation technology. According to Emadi and others, fuel cell technology performs overall fuel efficiency and quieter operation due to few moving parts (2005). However, there exist several types of fuel cell technologies that have different strengths and weaknesses to achieve fuel efficiency. “[F]or transportation applications” in the near future, “[P]roton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), the alkaline fuel cell, and the phosphoric acid fuel cells” are considered primary fuel cells (Bradley, 2008). In order to compare the “energy density [or fuel efficiency] of fuel cell and conventional powerplants at the variety of power and energy scales suitable for wide aviation applications,” Bradley conducted a study. The study made “a conceptual comparison” on energy production rate or fuel efficiency for various powerplants with respect to different power requirements and endurance. 5 types of powerplants were utilized for the conceptual comparison as follows (Bradley, 2008). 1. Internal Combustion (IC) engine fueled by gasoline 2. PEM fuel cell with gaseous hydrogen storage 3. PEM fuel cell with liquid hydrogen storage 4. SOFC fueled by propane 5. PEM fuel cell fueled by neat methanol  Settings of the Bradley’ s Study  “[5 types of powerplants] are composed of fuel storage and energy conversion components, which convert the energy stored as fuel to propulsive energy.”  “The specific energy [or fuel efficiency] of the powerplant is the rotational mechanical energy output of the powerplant, [Watt-hours (Wh)], divided by the sum of the fuel, fuel tank, and energy converter (engine or fuel cell) mass, [kg].” In another word, the specific energy or fuel efficiency measure in this study is Wh/kg.  “The specific energy of the powerplant is calculated at endurances between 1 and 100,000 min. and powers between 10 and 100,000 W.” (Bradley, 2008) The resultant graphs are shown in Figure 3 (Bradley, 2008).
  • 9. 5  Analyses of the Conceptual Comparison Results. A) Under the lowest power requirement of 10 watt for the multi-hour endurance of 1,000 minutes, PEM fuel cell fueled by neat methanol outperformed other powerplants in fuel efficiency (red dotted line showing 1000-2000 Wh/kg) and proved its aptitude for “the low-power, high energy, small scale applications.” B) Under the low power requirement of 100 watt for the long endurance of more than 10,000 minutes, all of the fuel cell powerplants “exhibit higher [fuel efficiency] than the IC powerplant.” C) Under the middle power requirement of 1,000 watt for the long endurance of more than 10,000 minutes, SOFC and IC powerplants perform better fuel efficiency than the other powerplants except for hydrogen PEM fuel cell. D) Under the highest power requirement of 100,000 watt for the long endurance of 100,000 minutes, even though the IC engine exhibit higher fuel efficiency than PEM fuel cell with gaseous hydrogen storage and PEM fuel cell fueled by neat methanol, PEM fuel cell with liquid hydrogen storage performed much higher in fuel efficiency than the other powerplants. (Bradley, 2008) Overall, except for the condition A, liquid hydrogen PEM fuel cell outperformed other powerplants. Bradley concludes that each fuel cell has different strengths and weaknesses to achieve fuel efficiency and strength of each depends on where these fuel cells supply power and how long they get used (2008). This study validates the overall better fuel efficiency of fuel cell powerplants than the conventional powerplants and its usefulness for aircraft applications.
  • 10. 6 Figure 3. Results of powerplant [fuel efficiency] comparison (Adapted from Bradley, 2008) A B C D
  • 11. 7 3. Applicability of Fuel Cell Technology to Passenger Aircrafts Fuel cell technology has not yet been realized in passenger aircrafts. However, several experiments were successfully conducted by aeronautical institutes and large transportation jet manufactures of Boeing and Airbus toward its applications to passenger aircrafts. In this section, I introduce potential candidates of fuel cell technologies, successful experimental examples with fuel cells integrated to aircrafts, potential parts of passenger aircrafts, and general tasks for the realization of fuel cell applications to passenger aircrafts.  Potential Candidates of Fuel Cell Technologies For fuel cell applications to passenger aircrafts, two fuel cell technologies of the SOFC and PEMFC are primary candidates. However, there still exist tasks for their applications.  Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) : SOFC is considered “theoretically and conceptually well-suited [for passenger aircraft applications] because of [its] similarity in operating temperature and the possible hybrid configurations with gas turbine to increase [fuel] efficiency.” However, SOFC has mainly two tasks: very low power density and necessity of incorporating “compact and reliable fuel processors” for aircraft applications (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).  Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) : As PEMFC was successfully integrated into automobiles for commercialization, PEMFC is also considered good candidate for the near-term passenger aircrafts’ applications. However, PEMFC also has several tasks: necessities of “improving the specific power of the stack,” “[reductions] of the weight of the [related] components,” and investigations of flight-operation behaviors (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010).  Successful Experimental Examples of Fuel Cell Applications  Boeing attempts : Boeing has successfully developed and flew a two-seater glider powered by the combination of PEMFC and a lithium-ion battery. Based on this success, “Boeing studies fuel cells” in order to reduce the burden of airliner engines from running generators for partial onboard electricity. Boeing claims that there exist tasks on dependability of fuel cells in extreme flying conditions (Klesius, 2009).
  • 12. 8  Airbus attempts: Airbus has successfully integrated a “20 kW emergency power [PEMFC] system” into A320 and the fuel cell system has successfully operated the A320’s control surfaces in various flight conditions. Airbus claims the needs “to increase [Fuel Cell] power density” (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010; Klesius, 2010).  Potential Parts of Passenger Aircrafts for Fuel Cell Technology Applications  Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) The biggest experimental trend on fuel cell application to the passenger aircraft is to replace the auxiliary power unit (APU) with fuel cell technology. On the ground, aircraft systems rely on supplies of electric energy, compressed air and hydraulic pressure from the APU for their operations before main engines start. Those aircraft systems include “avionics systems, air conditioning, and the de- icing devices.” Moreover, the APU is the kick-starter for the main engines. The APU hands all of its jobs previously mentioned to the main engines thereafter. Replacing the APU with fuel cell technology for the electrical ground supply can be great benefits because the APU has many negative aspects such as a low fuel efficiency of less than 20% of its use, greenhouse gas emission of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, and the noise emissions. Replacing the APU with fuel cell systems can solve all of these negative aspects.(Renouard-Vallet, Saballus, Schmithals, Schirmer, Kallo, & Friedrich, 2010).  Ram Air Turbine (RAT) Another potential application is to the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which produces electric energy from the ram air to the propeller of its system in the case of all engine failures. When all engines fail, the aircrafts’ control surfaces are no longer controllable without other means of electricity supply; the RAT is the alternate source of electricity supply in this situation. The fuel cell system supplies power better than the RAT, so that it gives pilots greater controllability of aircrafts. Since the RAT is also the causes of high maintenance costs and worse aerodynamics when it is active, replacing this system with fuel cell technology can lead to overall efficiency (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010; Lucken, Brombach, & Schulz, 2010).  Reducing the Load of Water at Takeoffs
  • 13. 9 Fuel cell system can produce about “0.5-0.6 L of water per kW h electrical power”; in other words, fuel cell system can produce about “50 L of water” with “100 kW fuel cell power (appropriate for a large aircraft)” for one hour of operation. In passenger aircrafts, toilets and air humidifier in a cabin can utilize this substantial amount of water. This utilization of fuel cell generated water results in the reduction of the load of water at takeoffs; some carriers load as much as 3000 pounds of water at takeoffs, which is the substantial portion of the takeoff weight. In order to improve and optimize this potential use of water generated by fuel cell systems, the system for the distribution of the water inside a cabin and the water quality are “still [under] research and development” (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010; Graham-Rowe, 2012).  Reuse of the Fuel Cell Exhaust Air for Inerting Systems of the Fuel Tanks Fuel cell exhaust air contains very little oxygen, as little as 10% of the exhaust air, so that the fuel cell exhaust air can be utilized for “fire retardation, suppression, or explosion prevention” inside the fuel tanks; jet fuel cannot start burning with the “oxygen contents below 12 % by volume.” Therefore, nitrogen based inerting system can be removed from the fuel tanks by utilizing the fuel cell exhaust air (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010). Other potential applications of fuel cell technology include power source of avionics, electrical motor-powered ground taxing, exhaust heat utilization for anti-icing device of aircrafts. General illustration of application points on passenger aircrafts are shown in Figure 4 (Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010). Figure 4. Multifunctional architecture of the fuel cell system (Taken from Renaouard-Vallet et al., 2010)
  • 14. 10  General Tasks for the Realization of Fuel Cell Applications  Prevention of Short Circuits within the Fuel Cell System In order to realize the replacement of the APU with a fuel cell system, the development of “new protection arrangements” for a new grid architectures optimized for fuel cell systems and modern aircrafts is a must. Typically, “fuel cell systems [require] special operational conditions” and the biggest task of the application of fuel cell as electricity supply is to prevent the onset of short circuits within the fuel cell system as it reduces the durability of the fuel cell and destructs fuel cell stacks due to overheating (Lucken, Brombach, & Schulz., 2010).  Prevention of Fuel Cells’ Material Degradation Fuel cells “[are] prone to material degradation” under various operating conditions of “low reactant flows,” “high and low humidification levels,” and “high and low temperatures” With these conditions, the 2-10 μV/ h is the general degradation range of fuel cells. The management of these conditions “within application and system abilities” is a key to a success for different applications of fuel cells. To meet the requirements of different applications, fuel cells may also be suited to “be custom designed” (Knights, Colbow, St-Pierre, & Wilkinson., 2004). So, if we adapt fuel cell technology for our new development, we also have to develop operating condition management system so as to prevent fuel cell degradation.  Monitoring and Detection of Abnormalities in the Mechanical Behavior of Fuel Cell Stack under Vibrating Conditions Accurate understanding of fuel cells’ mechanical behavior and “the effects of mechanical loads on their structures [in vibrating environment]” is a must in order to integrate fuel cells into transportation systems and particularly into aircrafts. For this purpose, three-dimensional model enabling the prediction of fuel cell mechanical behavior “in the three axes of excitations: X, Y and Z,” which is developed based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach, was proposed by Rouss, Candusso, and Charon. The ANN global model is very useful to reduce computation time “instead of creating a model for each axis. This proposed model can be utilized to monitor and detect “abnormalities in the
  • 15. 11 mechanical behavior of [fuel cell] stacks placed under vibrating conditions” (Rouss, Candusso, & Charon., 2008). Conclusion Skylead is facing a competitive age to maintain share of its regional jets (RJs) due to other RJ manufacturers’ technological advances in fuel efficiency and emergence of new RJ producers. To continue to maintain share of our RJs in the world, Skylead must start to develop further fuel efficient aircrafts with new technologies. Fuel cell technology is the potential to achieve this goal, as this technology could contribute to as much as 15 percent more fuel efficiency by integrating to aircrafts’ non-propulsion systems (Graham-Rowe, 2012). In this paper, fuel cell technology was studied based on 3 essential aspects; mechanism, fuel efficiency, and applicability to passenger aircrafts in order to examine its potential for our new development. For the mechanism of fuel cell technology, the system of fuel cell and the architecture of fuel cell system were described. In this section, it was found that the fuel cell system is composed of other power conditioners and it becomes a part of powerplant for it to be applied to passenger aircrafts. As for the fuel efficiency of the fuel cell technology, 4 types of fuel cell powerplants were compared with the conventional internal combustion powerplant in order to validate the fuel efficiency of fuel cell technology. In this section, it was found that overall fuel cell powerplants are more fuel efficient than conventional powerplants and the different fuel cell technology has different strengths based on the purposes of utilization. Finally, potential candidates of fuel cell technologies, successful experimental examples, potential parts of passenger aircrafts, and general tasks were examined for the applications of fuel cell technology to passenger aircrafts. In this section, it was found that applications of fuel cell systems to passenger aircrafts are possible with some tasks and have a number of benefits in terms of achieving more fuel efficiency compared to the currently used systems. Through this research on the potential of the fuel cell technology to develop further fuel efficient RJs, it was validated that the fuel cell technology is worth for Skylead to invest our funds in to achieve our goal. Based on this validation, I recommend the next research on the institutes and companies that have developed fuel cell technologies and Skylead will be able to make partnership with in order to develop fuel cell systems that can be integrated into our regional jet systems. With this next research, we will also be able to estimate costs to develop our next generation RJs.
  • 16. 12 References Bradley, T. H. (2008). Modeling, design and energy management of fuel cell systems for aircraft (Order No. 3345942). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304653903). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/docview/304653903?accountid=11789 Curtis, T. Rhoades, D. & Waguespach Jr, B. P. (2013). Regional Jet Aircraft Competitiveness: Challenges and Opportunities. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ERAU Scholarly Commons. Retrieved from http://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=db-management Emadi, A., Rajashekara, K., Williamson, S.S., Lukic, S.M. (2005, May). Topological overview of hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicular power system architectures and configurations. Vehicular Technology, IEEE Transactions on, vol.54, no.3, pp.763-770. doi: 10.1109/TVT.2005.847445 Graham-Rowe, D. (2012, August). Fuel Cells Take to the Runway, Airbus will test a system that could reduce fuel consumption by 15 percent. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428693/fuel-cells-take-to-the-runway/ Klesius, M. (2009, February). How Things Work: Flying Fuel Cells - Out of gas? Not a problem. AirspaceMag.com. Retrieved from http://www.airspacemag.com/flight- today/how-things-work-flying-fuel-cells-47181830/?no-ist=&page=2 Knights, S. D., Colbow, K. M, St-Pierre, J., & Wilkinson, D. P. (2004, March 10). Aging mechanisms and lifetime of PEFC and DMFC. Journal of Power Sources, vol. 127, 1-2, pp. 127-134, ISSN 0378-7753. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378775303009467# Lucken, A., Brombach, J., & Schulz, D. (2010, October). Design and protection of a high voltage DC onboard grid with integrated fuel cell system on more electric aircraft. Electrical Systems for Aircraft, Railway and Ship Propulsion (ESARS), vol., no., pp.1, 6, 19-21. doi: 10.1109/ESARS.2010.5665245 Renouard-Vallet, G., Saballus, M., Schmithals, G., Schirmer, J., Kallo, J., & Friedrich, A. (2010). Improving the environmental impact of civil aircraft by fuel cell technology: concepts and technological progress. Royal Society of Chemistry,
  • 17. 13 1458-1468. doi: 10.1039/B925930A Rouss, V., Candusso, D., Charon, W. (2008, November). Mechanical behaviour of a fuel cell stack under vibrating conditions linked to aircraft applications part II: Three-dimensional modelling. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol33, 21, pp. 6281-6288, ISSN 0360-3199. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319908009889 U.S. Department of Energy. (2015). FUEL CELLS. Washington, DC: Office of Energ Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Retrieved from http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel- cel