Integration of a Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell into a Mini-UAV: Design and Simulation of Power System Architecture EADS

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Turner, Turner, author.

Conference Name:

Power Systems Conference (2010-11-02 : Fort Worth, Texas, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2010

Summary:

Mini UAVs in the 20 kg category are widely operated by militaryand civilian organizations, usually for surveillance purposes, andmany are electrically powered for low acoustic and infra-redobservability. Despite recent improvements in Lithium Polymerbattery technology, endurance is still usually limited to around 1hour for fixed wing vehicles. For operational reasons, it isdesirable to increase endurance and fuel cells can provide the highenergy density necessary to do this.Many examples of PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane FuelCell)-powered UAVs have been flown in recent years, all relying ona supply of hydrogen on board the UAV, giving the usual safety andweight concerns surrounding hydrogen storage. Solid oxide fuelcells (SOFCs) operate at a sufficiently high temperature to allowsome flexibility in fuel source; in particular microtubular solidoxide fuel cell (mSOFC) stacks have been developed that run onmethane and propane, gases that are easier to store and morereadily available than hydrogen. mSOFC technology also offers thepotential for higher efficiencies than PEMFCs.Some examples of mSOFC-powered UAVs do exist, but these areaircraft developed and flown in an R&D context, not operationalvehicles. This project aims to surmount and document the issuessurrounding integration of an mSOFC power system into an existingUAV used in its operational environment. It also serves to providea stimulus for the further development of mSOFC technology, whichshows good potential but currently lags PEMFC technology by anumber of years.This paper presents initial modeling results from a 3-yearproject to integrate a propane-powered microtubular solid oxidefuel cell power system into an existing (and operational)electrically powered mini UAV

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2010-01-1776

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license