A kW-level integrated propulsion system for UAV powered by PEMFC with inclined cathode flow structure design

Kehan Zhou, Zhiwei Liu, Xin Zhang, Hang Liu, Nan Meng, Jianmei Huang, Mingjing Qi, Xizhen Song and Xiaojun Yan

Applied Energy, 2022, vol. 328, issue C, No S0306261922014799

Abstract: Open-cathode air-cooling polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with the lightweight and simple structure are widely used in state-of-the-art UAVs. In this work, a 1 kW-level PEMFC powered propulsion system with an inclined cathode flow structure is developed. The inclined cathode flow structure uses the airflow behind the blade root of the propeller to meet the reaction and cooling requirements of the PEMFC cathode. Such design discards the cathode axial fan in the current commercial PEMFC system and reduces the parasitic power, weight and volume caused by the axial fan. Compared with the current commercial PEMFC powered propulsion system, the specific power of the 1 kW PEMFC system, power-to-weight ratio and thrust-to-weight ratio of the 1 kW integrated propulsion system are increased by 33.0 %, 23.8 %, and 18.3 %, respectively. Besides, the space in the fuselage for the fuel cells and the weight of distribution wiring, as well as the wire loss, is also significantly saved by replacing the axial fan with proposed inclined cathode flow structure.

Keywords: Open-cathode PEMFC; Parasitic power; Integration design; Electric propulsion system; UAV (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120222

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