Modeling and Simulation of Fuel Cell Powered and Turboelectric Generator Assisted Electric Aircrafts

We simulate the cruise phase of an all-electric aircraft based on aircraft aerodynamics and fuel cell thermodynamics. The simulated aircraft is powered by a fuel cell during cruise, while a turboelectric generator provides the additional power required during takeoff. The ducted heat exchanger is selected as cooling system for the fuel cell and its design requires a balance between cooling power, drag, and exchanger size. The operating point of the fuel cell is the most critical factor determining the flight range and efficiency of the aircraft. The optimal point is when the fuel cell operates at a medium specific power with high energy conversion efficiency. The simulation results show that fuel cell powered aircraft are suitable for regional and domestic flights, but international flights are challenging due to the volume of liquid hydrogen.