JUSTIN WASTNAGE / FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Boeing Madrid's fuel cell test project is to take a step forward this week when fuel cell specialist Intelligent Energy starts fitting its powerplant to Boeing's Diamond Aircraft motor glider demonstrator (Flight International, 30 July-5 August 2002).
Boeing unveiled the Diamond HK36 Super Dimona prototype at last month's Aero 2003 air show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, after the aircraft had undergone modification by Aérlyper outside Barcelona, Spain. The 20kW fuel cell battery hybrid powerplant is being installed at Intelligent's Loughborough, UK, site and is set to be completed by August.
Boeing is leading the project from its Madrid research & development centre and was initially due to deliver the aircraft to Intelligent Energy in January, soon after the company was selected as a prime contractor, but the project has been delayed due to internal Boeing budgetary issues. The completed aircraft is now set to make its static debut at the First Flight Centennial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on 17 December, and first flights are set for June next year.
Intelligent Energy managing director Dennis Hayter says the challenge will be to make the fuel cell meet the Super Dimona's volume and weight constraints. A 300V DC UQM Technologies electric motor, hydrogen tanks and lithium battery will be installed in the engine compartment, with the fuel cell required to fit into a 7 litre (427in3) space where the co-pilot would normally sit.
Intelligent was the only fuel cell supplier to meet Boeing's specification of a power-to-volume ratio of at least 3.2kW/litre (0.07hp/in3) and a maximum weight of 78kg (170lb). "Our previous prototype produced 4kW and weighed 65kg, so to produce a 20kW version we have had to source lightweight materials," says Hayter. Methods of dealing with the hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange fuel cell's by-products of water and heat are also key priorities for this year, says Hayter.
Source: Flight International
