Analysis and assessment of an integrated hydrogen fuelled energy system for aircrafts

In this study, an integrated hydrogen fuelled energy system is developed, analysed and assessed thermodynamically through energy and exergy efficiencies. A LH2 fuelled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is developed to provide electrical and potable or toilets water usage of aircraft, and heat recovery for wings icing prevention is combined with the system and the unchanged hydrogen from SOFC burns in a combustor to drive the aircraft refrigeration cycle, after SOFC stream is recovered for steam bottoming cycle, also integrated hydrogen fuelled jet engine provides thrust for aircraft. This paper includes energetic and exergetic performance assessment studies of the hydrogen SOFC and aircraft thrust engine systems. The proposed integrated systems have overall energy and exergy efficiency values of 24.68% and 22.45%, respectively.