Challenges in Cooling Required for Fuel Cells in Aviation Applications

This paper will explain why solving the heat dissipation of high-power fuel cells on aircraft is a big challenge. In this paper, we will demonstrate all the electric and thermal power associated with hydrogen fuel cell systems as a power source for future electric-powered aircrafts and discuss two possible mechanisms for cooling a fuel cell stack on an aircraft, such as ducted radiators and outer mold line heat exchangers, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. We will also discuss the thermal flux and additional drag by using these two cooling methods for IZEA’s proposed aircraft. Finally, we will propose possible fuel cell and cooling system designs for aviation applications.