Network

As JETPEL we are an active member in the aviation network:

Strong partnerships with development and production specialists as well as research corporations.

Research project with partners from industry and science:

In order to be able to manage the transformation to climate-neutral aviation, hydrogen is the energy source of choice. Hydrogen has the highest weight-related energy content and due to its low density automatically compensates for the increased system weight of the fuel cell. On the other hand, there is the technical problem that a heat dissipation of about 50% of the total energy of the hydrogen must be guaranteed. In current applications, the heat exchangers used for this purpose increase air drag so significantly that hydrogen consumption increases by up to 30%.

For this reason, the key technology for aviation-optimised cooling of fuel cells in small aircraft with between two and 20 seats is being developed in the project BaLoK.NRW. After the corresponding requirements have been defined, the subcomponents of the ultra-quiet ducted propeller, the fuel cell system and the innovative cooling concept will be optimized. Suitable components from automotive technology are then used to integrate the entire system into a gyrocopter and to test it on the ground.

BaLoK.NRW is thus making a significant contribution to the development of the hydrogen economy in North Rhine-Westphalia. The participation of local partners and the associated transfer of knowledge will create a North Rhine-Westphalian competence center for climate-neutral aviation. The jobs created as a result are secured in the long term by the forward-looking hydrogen technology.

Project Partners

• FEV Europe GmbH
• Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
• GasTurb GmbH
• Helix-Carbon GmbH
• Jetpel GmbH
• RWTH Aachen University