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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Second Target Station Project: STS Cross-Directorate Workshop on Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen produced through electrolysis using renewable energy, is poised to play a critical role in decarbonizing the global economy. Its ability to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources and decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors positions it as a vital component of a sustainable energy future. Interest in hydrogen as a clean energy carrier is in a decade of unprecedented growth, with dozens of countries having released national hydrogen strategies contributing to a global hydrogen economy. In 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Hydrogen Shot, the first of the Energy Earthshot Initiatives, which aims to lower the cost of clean hydrogen to $\$$1/kg by 2031. This initiative was followed by a considerable increase in funding for hydrogen technologies through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), with $\$$18 billion recently announced for regional demonstration projects (Hydrogen Hubs) and another $\$$11.5 billion aimed at research and development of electrolyzers, fuel cells, manufacturing, and recycling. The 2023 U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap identifies the cost of clean hydrogen as a critical challenge for achieving economic scale. This includes the cost of hydrogen production by electrolysis, delivery and dispensing, onboard storage, and end-use technologies like fuel cells. Fundamental research and development into catalysts, component architectures, and material durability are critical to lower the costs of these vital technologies aimed at achieving a net-zero carbon emission economy by 2050.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1984

Hydrogen fueled-hydrogen transport rail system - A NASA proposal

The technical possibility of fueling motive power equipment with hydrogen as an alternative to petroleum is studied, and the economics of operating hydrogen-fueled systems are evaluated. Technical considerations include the areas of fuel storage and distribution systems, engine design changes, and a test and evaluation program. A conversion methodology, which conforms to the scheme of high-pressure injection of hydrogen directly into the cylinder late in the compresssion stroke and injection of pilot diesel fuel for ignition, is illustrated with detailed diagrams.

Bain, A. L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multidimensional Modeling of Mixture Formation in a Hydrogen-Fueled Heavy-Duty Optical Engine With Direct Injection

Hydrogen (H 2 ), as a carbon-free fuel, is considered as one of the most promising solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of hard-to-decarbonize energy and transportation sectors. As such, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (H 2 ICEs) have recently been receiving increasing attention, particularly in applications such as on-road/off-road heavy-duty transport and combined heat and power. The direct injection (DI) of gaseous hydrogen into the combustion chamber offers great potential for achieving high power density and high engine efficiency, while mitigating the risk of backfire and reducing pre-ignition. However, the numerical simulation of H 2 DI system remains a formidable challenge associated with the high computational cost of reproducing compressible supersonic flow and shocks in narrow injector passages and in near-nozzle regions. In general, there is a lack of well-established and validated practices for the modeling of high-pressure H 2 DI in large-bore engines. Here, to this end, this study focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of the mixture formation process in a heavy-duty optical engine employing a medium-pressure H 2 DI system. Both large eddy simulations (LES) and Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations are performed and evaluated against optical data. Gaseous hydrogen is injected into the combustion chamber via a centrally located outward opening hollow-cone injector at a pressure of 40 bar. Simulations are carried out for two injection timings, namely, −120 and −60 °CA. The numerical predictions for H 2 distribution in different horizontal and vertical planes during the compression stroke are systematically compared against optical data obtained through planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements. Overall, the LES approach using the Dynamic Structure model is found to have good predictive capabilities for the early jet penetration in terms of length and shape, as well as the later H 2 distributions. However, the unsteady RANS approach with the renormalization group $k - ϵ$ model, which is widely used by industry to model heavy-duty ICEs, significantly underpredicts the H 2 mixing, even at similar mesh resolution to that used in LES. These results indicate that there is a need for the improvement of mixing submodels within the RANS approach when applied to H 2 DI simulations.

LES↗
DOE OSTI2024

MV Sea Change: Fuel Cell, Emissions, and Hydrogen Fueling Performance

The Sea Change Project, managed and financed by SWITCH Maritime, produced the first zero-emission 100% hydrogen fuel-cell powered commercial ferry in the world. The MV Sea Change is a 70-foot catamaran equipped with a 360-kW fuel cell powertrain and a 250-bar 246 kg capacity hydrogen storage system. The 75-passenger vessel began public passenger service in July 2024 as part of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system. Summarized here are aspects of the design of the vessel, its construction, and vessel bunkering with high-pressure hydrogen. Results from a fuel cell performance analysis are also presented, along with estimates of the greenhouse gas (GHG) and criterial pollutant emissions assuming different sourcings of hydrogen. Lessons learned from the project will be briefly reviewed.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Autonomous Hydrogen Fueling Station

This project “Autonomous Hydrogen Fueling Station” covered the autonomous refueling with both gaseous hydrogen and liquid hydrogen. The part on gaseous hydrogen focused on the development of an autonomous robotic fueling arm that would couple to a fuel cell engine for hydrogen refueling without guidance from the forklift operator and budget period. Research was also covered for the robotic fueling with a commercial vehicle. The second phase of the project created the baseline for an autonomous liquid hydrogen transfer system that would minimize boil off losses by operating at thermodynamically efficient state points. For the development of the robotic fueling arm, testing was conducted to establish a baseline measurement of the accuracy and repeatability of a human operator positioning a lift truck in front of a dispenser. The goal was to establish the range of motion required for an autonomous fueling mechanism to mate a hydrogen nozzle with a receptacle on a fuel cell system installed in a forklift. The final design comprised a selective compliance articulated robot arm (SCARA)-type mechanism with two arms for horizontal motion and a ball screw for vertical movement and color and LIDAR cameras were used for marker identification and proximity awareness to guide the robotic arm to its target receptacle. Initial tests resulted in 199 out of 200 successful attempts at autonomous coupling of the dispensing coupler and a fuel cell engine, without hydrogen. The dispenser prototype was modified to include tubing for both hydrogen fuel and air purge lines, but subsequent tests were confounded by the shoulder motor over current errors which limited the robot from getting to the fully inserted position to achieve a positive latch. Robotic hydrogen refueling was successfully demonstrated over 1.5 hours of testing, Plug completed 29 successful latches with an average number of 4 sequential latches before failure. However, a robot capable of placing the nozzle with more force is required for higher reliability. For budget period two, a small scale (10 kg / transfer) automated control system was designed that would operate valves to control pressure and flow of liquid nitrogen between a source and receiving tank with an aim to minimize boil off losses by operating at the most thermodynamically efficient state points. Control system logic flow and a P&ID were developed prior to system safety characterization via HAZOP. A control narrative and system state points were defined. Delays in approval for a change of project objective and procurement issues precluded the construction and test of the final prototype system.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1972

A fuel conservation study for transport aircraft utilizing advanced technology and hydrogen fuel

The conservation of fossil fuels in commercial aviation was investigated. Four categories of aircraft were selected for investigation: (1) conventional, medium range, low take-off gross weight; (2) conventional, long range, high take-off gross weights; (3) large take-off gross weight aircraft that might find future applications using both conventional and advanced technology; and (4) advanced technology aircraft of the future powered with liquid hydrogen fuel. It is concluded that the hydrogen fueled aircraft can perform at reduced size and gross weight the same payload/range mission as conventionally fueled aircraft.

Berry, W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Energy supply and its effect on aircraft of the future. II - Liquid-hydrogen-fueled aircraft: Prospects and design issues.

The performance of hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft is examined in the subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speed regime and compared with JP-fueled systems. Hydrogen aircraft are shown to provide substantial improvements in range and payload fraction as well as to minimize or eliminate many environmental problems. The major elements of a development program required to make hydrogen-fueled aircraft a commercial reality are also outlined and the rationale for and characteristics of both a subsonic demonstrator and a high speed research airplane are described.

Kirkham, F. S.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

A hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is two to three times more efficient than a comparable vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine running on gasoline. Because of their efficient operation, FCEVs can travel long distances with less fueling. An FCEV also produces clean tailpipe exhaust, emitting only water vapor and warm air. FCEVs have driving ranges of more than 300 miles per tank of hydrogen. Drivers can fuel their FCEVs in less than five minutes at a dispenser that looks and feels similar to gasoline dispensers except for the high-pressure gaseous connection.1 In addition, FCEVs are propelled by an electric motor, so they are very quiet, have very few moving parts and fewer fluids to change, and have minimal maintenance requirements overall.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1977

Hydrogen fueled subsonic aircraft - A prospective

The performance characteristics of hydrogen-fueled subsonic transport aircraft are compared with those of aircraft using conventional aviation kerosene. Results of the Cryogenically Fueled Aircraft Technology Program sponsored by NASA indicate that liquid hydrogen may be particularly efficient for subsonic transport craft when ranges of 4000 km or more are involved; however, development of advanced cryogenic tanks for liquid hydrogen fuel is required. The NASA-sponsored program also found no major technical obstacles for international airports converting the liquid hydrogen fueling systems. Resource utilization efficiency and fuel production costs for hydrogen produced by coal gasification or for liquid methane or synthetic aviation kerosene are also assessed.

Witcofski, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Advanced supersonic technology concept study: Hydrogen fueled configuration

Conceptual designs of hydrogen fueled supersonic transport configurations for the 1990 time period were developed and compared with equivalent technology Jet A-1 fueled vehicles to determine the economic and performance potential of liquid hydrogen as an alternate fuel. Parametric evaluations of supersonic cruise vehicles with varying design and transport mission characteristics established the basis for selecting a preferred configuration which was then studied in greater detail. An assessment was made of the general viability of the selected concept including an evaluation of costs and environmental considerations, i.e., exhaust emissions and sonic boom characteristics. Technology development requirements and suggested implementation schedules are presented.

Brewer, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Potential of hydrogen fuel for future air transportation systems.

Recent studies have shown that hydrogen fuel can yield spectacular improvements in aircraft performance in addition to its more widely discussed environmental advantages. The characteristics of subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic transport aircraft using hydrogen fuel are discussed, and their performance and environmental impact are compared to that of similar aircraft using conventional fuel. The possibilities of developing hydrogen-fueled supersonic and hypersonic vehicles with sonic boom levels acceptable for overland flight are also explored.

Small, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Installation of Ohio's First Electrolysis-Based Hydrogen Fueling Station

This paper describes progress made towards the installation of a hydrogen fueling station in Northeast Ohio. In collaboration with several entities in the Northeast Ohio area, the NASA Glenn Research Center is installing a hydrogen fueling station that uses electrolysis to generate hydrogen on-site. The installation of this station is scheduled for the spring of 2012 at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority s Hayden bus garage in East Cleveland. This will be the first electrolysis-based hydrogen fueling station in Ohio.

Scheidegger, Brianne T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Hydrogen-fueled subsonic aircraft: A perspective

The performance characteristics of hydrogen-fueled subsonic transport aircraft are compared to those using conventional aviation kerosene. Additional aspects discussed include potential improvements in the exhaust emissions characteristics of aircraft jet engines, problems associated with onboard fuel containment, results of recent studies of the impact of hydrogen-fueled aircraft on the airport and associated ground support equipment, and estimates of the cost and thermal efficiency of producing synthetic aviation fuels from coal.

Witcofski, R. D.↗