Fuel cells may help aircraft meet increased electrical power demands while mitigating environmental, safety, reliability, and cost concerns. A potential application is to replace a conventional aircraft battery with a fuel cell system. An opened system altitude chamber has been developed to evaluate fuel cell system performance in flight altitudes. The altitude test methods have been validated by successfully obtaining fuel cell performance data that match fuel cell manufacturer data. Trends in temperature, cooling fan speed, airflow, and fuel flow at various loads and altitudes up to 5000 ft have been observed. Electrical power quality in steady state and transient loading has been determined insufficient to meet the aircraft power quality characteristics of MIL-STD-704E. Further development is needed to properly regulate voltage and obtain sufficiently quick responsiveness. Low pressure hydrogen storage using metal hydride canisters have been tested at altitude and for endurance. Current test results indicate that fuel cells operate best for aircraft applications when pressurized and used primarily for steady state loads.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Altitude Testing of Fuel Cell Systems for Aircraft Applications


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Power Systems Conference ; 2004



    Publication date :

    2004-11-02




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    ALTITUDE VAPOR FORMATION in Aircraft Fuel Systems

    CURTIS, R. R. / CURTIS, W. H. | SAE Technical Papers | 1944


    Altitude vapor formation in aircraft fuel systems

    Curtis, W.H. / Curtis, R.R. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1944




    New high-altitude fuel system for aircraft

    Curtis, W.H. / Curtis, R.R. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1941