Greenhouse gas emissions are compromising the sustainability of our planet. By 2050, shipping and aviation are expected to contribute 40% of the total global emissions. Mainly due to the lack of environmentally friendly propulsion alternatives, unlike the remaining sectors which have alternatives or technologies allowing for a change or for a reduction in emissions.
Aeronautical and Nautical sectors have significant barriers to alternative (green) propulsion systems. While the remaining transport sectors can be electrified, the amount of energy required in bigger boats and airplanes makes it impossible to convert to electric batteries. These two still resort to fossil fuels due to their high specific energy and energy density, being the former the critical factor. Alternatives being considered include switching to natural gas and biofuels. However, there is another pathway not being fully explored in this context: Hydrogen.
Hydrogen can be consumed in fuel cells generating electricity and heat, but also burned generating heat and gas diffusion. The only emission in each scenario is water vapour. Hydrogen has one of the highest specific energies (circa three times the typical fossil fuel) and, if compressed, can reach about half of natural gas’ energy density. In both scenarios, it is upwards of 50 times more energy dense than li-ion batteries.
My project consists of a hybrid propulsion system comprised of a fuel cell, a combustion system and an energy scavenging system. The synergies between these components will allow for high efficiencies, weight savings, modularity, scalability, and a flexible and responsive power output. The system is expected to provide the autonomy of a steady state fuel cell with the power and flexibility of a combustion system while minimizing wasted energy.
To accomplish this project, I developed a research plan comprised of three stages. The first stage, “Global understanding”, resorts to literature review, and simulation tools to explore the initial composition and properties of the systems and hydrogen gas. This will be done at a theoretical, practical, and computational level. The second stage, “Bottleneck tackling”, focuses on solving the main inhibitor to the implementation of the system. The third stage, “System integration and validation”, will focus on small-scale lab validations of the bottleneck solution, a possible patent filing and integration of the proof-of-concept system in an unmanned aerial vehicle. Funding opportunities are also under evaluation.
Furthermore, lab rotations and industry residences are dependent on the bottleneck being faced in stage two.
Main adviser: Professor Edgar Fernandes - IST
Main adviser: Pending
Co-adviser: Pending
First Year:
Second Year: