Modeling of corona discharge thrusters powered by PEM fuel cells: An investigation of potential synergies

摘要

Corona discharge thrusters (CDTs) bear a potential for silent and mechanically simple aerial propulsion. In this work, we propose an aircraft engine that combines CDTs and low temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (LT-PEMFCs). A model is then developed in parametric studies to study its performance. Especially, potential synergies due to emission and utilization of ozone and water, are focused. In addition, the influence of ambient conditions, a such-equipped aircraft might encounter, is examined. The engine shows a high sensitivity to ambient temperature and humidity, rendering the effectiveness of such a propulsion system strongly dependent on the environment it is located in. On the other hand, the produced water and ozone promises a limited impact on engine efficiency. Although thrust levels produced by CDTs are still low, the combination of the technologies seems promising for light-weight aircrafts. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.