BaLoK.NRW – Fuel cell drive with aviation-optimized cooling concept from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

BaLoK.NRW
About the project

Hydrogen is the energy source of choice for the transformation to climate-neutral aviation. It has the highest weight-related energy content and its low density automatically compensates for the increased system weight of the fuel cell. On the other hand, there is the technical problem that a heat dissipation of around 50% of the total energy of the hydrogen must be guaranteed. In current applications, the heat exchangers used for this purpose increase the air resistance so significantly that the hydrogen consumption increases by up to 30%.

For this reason, this project is developing the key technology for aviation-optimized cooling of fuel cells in small aircraft with between two and 20 seats. Once the relevant requirements have been defined, the sub-components of the ultra-quiet shroud propeller, the fuel cell system and the innovative cooling concept will be optimized. Suitable components from automotive engineering are then used to integrate the entire system into a gyrocopter and measure it on the ground.

BaLoK.NRW is thus making a significant contribution to the development of the hydrogen economy in NRW. Through the involvement of local partners and the associated knowledge transfer, a North Rhine-Westphalian competence center for climate-neutral aviation is being created. The resulting jobs are secured in the long term by the pioneering hydrogen technology.