Analysis of a Hydrogen Flying Airplane

Resumo

Present aircrafts make use of fossil fuels in combustion processes that create large amounts of emissions.
Pollution and climate changes are perceived as related to this type of emissions. These worries have led to worldwide efforts towards reduction in the use of combustion engines. Clean airplanes with zero direct emissions  require technological developments some yet in exploratory phase. Hydrogen propelled airplanes promise large  reductions in CO2 emissions. Design, testing and evaluation of power type modified airplanes is quite challenging,  as a whole new system of components is required to work with the fuel cell. To this endeavor a method is presented here, with parameters from a conceptual plane chosen as reference airplane, so as to avoid unnecessary and costly changes. Once verified the main premises, structural response of the hydrogen powered  airplane is developed with due consideration of powertrain components. For the plane, the same mission requirements are set. Balance of the plant is undertaken, before specifications are done. A first order structural analysis of the plane, for cruise conditions, shows redundancy enough to accept the modifications. Discussion and comparisons are presented.