ZeroAvia develops compressor for aviation fuel cell systems up to 900 kW

ZeroAvia has developed a high-performance compressor for gas cell-based aviation propulsion techniques, together with the corporate’s first ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. (Earlier post.)

Hydrogen gas cells could provide the power to ship true zero-emission flight by delivering electrification, however one key problem is delivering the excessive circulation of oxygen for the chemical response within the stacks to offer adequate portions of electrical energy to energy the plane. At larger altitudes, air compressors must be highly effective and environment friendly, whereas not including undue weight to the propulsion system and thus impacting payload and vary.

The ZeroAvia compressor is designed and examined particularly to adjust to all necessities pertaining to hydrogen gas cell-powered aviation propulsion techniques. ZeroAvia will incorporate the know-how as a core a part of its first two hydrogen-electric engines: the ZA600 for 9-19 seat plane focusing on entry-in-service by 2025, and the ZA2000 for 40-80 seat plane with EIS focused for 2027.

Preliminary testing of the ZeroAvia compressor signifies that it presents extremely secure efficiency throughout a wide variety of energy and working setting necessities. Supporting as much as 900kW gas cell techniques, the compressor is many instances extra highly effective than any current gas cell compressors and presents superior energy density, ZeroAv ia says.

The ZeroAvia compressor has additionally been designed to function with zero latency through an modern circulation administration strategy. The compressor runs on the ability supplied by the core electrical propulsion system, eliminating the extra inverter and electrical motor usually required in gas cell techniques. The ensuing discount in complexity will support certification of ZeroAvia’s powertrains, and fewer elements means additional decreased weight and better reliability.

This weight environment friendly system coupled with secure efficiency throughout a variety of parameters makes ZeroAvia’s compressor know-how a sexy resolution for high-power and high-altitude transport purposes. The compressor has been designed to satisfy all environmental circumstances and aerospace requirements, and the corporate plans certification testing to start over the course of the following 12 months.

The efficiency thus far is validation that ZeroAvia’s overarching powertrain will likely be able to delivering massive industrial, in addition to environmental, advantages to airline operators. The corporate can even leverage the know-how to allow enhanced testing of its HTPEM gas cell stacks for ZA2000 and bigger fastened wing and rotorcraft purposes.

ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in gas cells to generate electrical energy, which is then used to energy electrical motors to show the plane’s propellers, with solely water vapor emissions. The corporate has already signed pre-order agreements for almost 2,000 engines with airways together with American, United and Alaska.