Conceptual design-optimisation of a subsonic hydrogen-powered long-range blended-wing-body aircraft
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Jagtap, Swapnil S
Childs, Peter RN
Stettler, Marc EJ
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The adoption of liquid hydrogen (LH2) holds promise for decarbonising long-range aviation. LH2 aircraft could weigh less than Jet-A aircraft, thereby reducing the thrust requirement. However, the lower volumetric energy density of LH2 can adversely impact the aerodynamic performance and energy consumption of tube-wing aircraft. In a first, this work conducts an energy performance modelling of a futuristic (2030+) LH2 blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft (301 passengers and 13,890 km) using conceptual aircraft design-optimisation approach employing weight-sizing methods, while considering the realistic gravimetric and volumetric energy density effects of LH2 on aircraft design, and the resulting reduction in aircraft thrust requirement. This study shows that at the design point the futuristic LH2 BWB aircraft reduces the specific energy consumption (SEC, MJ/tonne-km) by 51.7–53.5% and 7.3–10.8%, compared to (Jet-A) Boeing 777-200LR and Jet-A BWB, respectively. At the off-design points, this study shows that by increasing the load factor for a given range and/or increasing range for all load factor cases, the SEC (or energy efficiency) of this LH2 BWB concept improves. The results of this work will inform future studies on use-phase emissions and contrails modelling, LH2 aircraft operations for contrail reduction, estimation of operating costs, and lifecycle climate impacts.
Date Issued
2024-12-27
Date Acceptance
2024-11-19
Citation
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024, 96, pp.639-651
ISSN
0360-3199
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
639
End Page
651
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume
96
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Subjects
AVIATION
Aviation fuel
Chemistry
Chemistry, Physical
Climate neutral aircraft
Decarbonising long-range aviation
Electrochemistry
Energy & Fuels
Engine cycle performance
FUEL
Hydrogen gas turbine
PERFORMANCE
Physical Sciences
Science & Technology
SYSTEMS
Technology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2024-11-26