Colloquium: Anna Biancotto (ASM)

The thesis explores the retrofit design of an aircraft with a focus on integrating a crashworthy hydrogen storage system, enhancing aviation sustainability by utilizing hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel and aligning with global decarbonization goals. The study addresses the advancements and challenges in hydrogen storage technologies, focusing on cryogenic liquid hydrogen. The design process includes the development and analysis of single-wall and double-wall tank architectures, assessing their performance based on cruise time and dormancy time. A detailed examination of the inner vessel support structure within a double-wall cryogenic tank is conducted, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining structural integrity, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction, and minimizing heat transfer, all within the aircraft's space constraints. Simulations and sensitivity analyses are used to evaluate the proposed designs, providing insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing hydrogen storage solutions in existing aircraft structures.

Supervisor: Dr.Ing. S.G.P. Castro