Hydrogen-Fuelled Fixed-Wing RPAS. An Approach to Design and Size the Electrical Propulsion System

Abstract

The motivation of this work is given by the search for alternative solutions for the energy supply in aerial platforms, in a way that they are based on clean fuels and do not throw polluting emissions into the atmosphere. In this way, a hybrid electrical propulsion system has been designed, consisting of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a LiPo-type battery pack. The hydrogen-based propulsion system meets the take off and flight requirements of the aerial platform, improving the characteristics provided by previous versions. Therefore, the inclusion of hydrogen technology in the aeronautical field, despite presenting certain difficulties, arises as a viable solution with a long-term path, thanks to not only eliminate the fossil fuels dependence but also to increase endurance, reduce noise footprint and eliminate polluting emissions throw into the atmosphere.