Electrochemical gas separation and inerting system: performance evaluation, optimization, simulation, and technoeconomic analysis for aircraft
| Author(s) | Aryal, Utsav Raj | |
| Date Accessioned | 2023-02-07T14:19:22Z | |
| Date Available | 2023-02-07T14:19:22Z | |
| Publication Date | 2022 | |
| SWORD Update | 2022-12-02T22:24:24Z | |
| Abstract | Following the TWA 800 flight disaster in 1996 which was attributed to an explosion in the fuel tank, inerting of the ullage (air volume above the fuel in the tank) has gained prominence. Inerting in most cases is accomplished by displacing oxygen in the tank with an inert gas like nitrogen. Current inerting techniques include the liquid nitrogen system, explosion suppressant foam system, halon extinguishment system, and on-board inert gas generation system (OBIGGS). The commercial airline industry has settled on OBIGGS as a superior alternative to other techniques wherein nitrogen enriched air (NEA) is generated by passing atmospheric air through air separation modules (ASM) at high pressure. Generally, the working principles in ASMs are pressure swing absorption or selective permeation through hollow fiber membranes. The resulting NEA is passed to the fuel tank which drives the oxygen out of the ullage. However, these ASMs are expensive, consume large amounts of energy, and fail prematurely. Another difficulty with such systems is that they provide a fixed nitrogen generation rate, whereas the inerting requirement in aircraft varies with the phase of the flight. ☐ Here, we propose a novel in-flight electrochemical gas separation and inerting system (EGSIS) to produce and supply NEA. EGSIS is an externally powered electrochemical device that combines a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell cathode with a PEM electrolyzer anode to generate NEA as the cathode output which can be supplied to the fuel tank. A major advantage of EGSIS is that the rate of NEA generation can be conveniently controlled by varying the voltage applied to the system. ☐ EGSIS is first demonstrated by conducting a detailed experimental study using a single-cell apparatus. Results include the effect of temperature and reactant flow rate on EGSIS performance, as well as an analysis of EGSIS efficiency. Next, we conduct an optimization study of EGSIS to improve its performance and enhance water management. Various stack configurations based on electrical connectivity and gas flow are also analyzed. We then present a 3D, steady-state, isothermal model of EGSIS implemented in COMSOL. EGSIS performance parameters such as current density, reactant concentration distribution, and polarization curves are investigated as a function of operating voltage and temperature. Finally, a technoeconomic analysis of this novel technology is presented to evaluate the commercial feasibility of EGSIS in aircraft. | |
| Advisor | Prasad, Ajay K. | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Mechanical Engineering | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/ynmh-t095 | |
| Unique Identifier | 1369062524 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/32234 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | |
| URI | https://login.udel.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/electrochemical-gas-separation-inerting-system/docview/2718306605/se-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Electrochemical gas separation | |
| Keywords | Inerting system | |
| Keywords | Aircraft | |
| Title | Electrochemical gas separation and inerting system: performance evaluation, optimization, simulation, and technoeconomic analysis for aircraft | |
| Type | Thesis |