EXFAN

To achieve climate neutrality in aviation by 2050, the adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion emerges as a pivotal solution. However, this transition comes with its set of challenges, notably in the realms of thermal management and heat rejection from fuel cells within the aircraft. Addressing these challenges is essential for unlocking the full potential of hydrogen as a sustainable and efficient energy source in aviation. For each watt of electricity produced by a fuel cell, one watt of waste heat is generated. Recuperating it for further use would be indeed an asset. The EXFAN project (Novel recuperation system to maximize EXergy From ANergy for fuel cell powered geared electric aircraft propulsion system) will target such innovation by including a ducted heat exchanger in the nacelle of the propulsion system. It will use the ram jet effect, called also "Meredith effect" (ME) to generate thrust from waste heat. The exFan system will be included in a geared electric fan propulsion system of mega-watt class powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. The breakthrough innovations proposed in exFan will: i) allow European aircraft producers to offer savings in cost operation ii) enable the European aeronautics industry to maintain global competitiveness and leadership, and iii) create significant contributions in the path towards CO2 and NOX emission-free aircrafts. EXFAN brings together multidisciplinary experts from academia, aeronautical associations and industry, supported by a selected technical advisory board. EXFAN will be in close contact with Clean Aviation and Clean Hydrogen to create synergies and speed up the development. Funded by the European Union under GA 101138184. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.