Abstract
The use of multirotor drones for industrial applications is accelerating, and fuel cell based propulsion systems are highlighted as a promising approach to improve endurance – one of the current main limitations. Due to multirotor drones’ unique requirements, careful system design is needed to maximize the performance advantage. In this work a sensitivity analysis that quantifies the impact of central system parameters for an X8 multirotor drone with a 2 kW fuel cell hybrid system is presented and discussed. Thrust stand measurements identified a 20–30% efficiency loss from the coaxial configuration, and a ‘single’ configuration can reduce power consumption by 700 W at 25 kg take-off mass. Thus, a smaller fuel cell system can be used, giving an additional 1 kg mass saving and 75–140 W power reduction. Peak endurance is found at a 0.67 energy system weight fraction, and if batteries are improved from 180 Wh/kg to 350 Wh/kg, the energy system mass threshold from where fuel cells are superior rises from 7.4 kg to 8.5 kg. At 700 bar, a 3 L hydrogen cylinder can replace a 6 L at 300 bar, provide a 72-min endurance, and is the preferred option to reach minimum system volume. This work provides guidance in early conceptual stages and insights on how fuel cell based powerplants for multirotors can be improved and optimized to increase their value proposition. Further research can expand the work to cover other system variations and do experimental testing of system performance.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Nordic Unmanned AS and the Norwegian Research Council for the support. Also, thanks to the students that were involved in the thrust stand measurements.
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Open access funding provided by the University of Stavanger. The research is funded by the Norwegian Research Council and Nordic Unmanned AS under project number 286603.
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Jørgen Apeland has prepared the material, carried out data analysis, and written the original draft. All authors contributed to research conceptualization, reviews, and final editing. Dimitrios Pavlou and Tor Hemmingsen have supervised the project. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
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Jørgen Apeland is employed by Nordic Unmanned AS, the main stakeholder of the project. The authors declare no further relevant financial or non-financial interests.
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Apeland, J., Pavlou, D.G. & Hemmingsen, T. Sensitivity Study of Design Parameters for a Fuel Cell Powered Multirotor Drone. J Intell Robot Syst 102, 6 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-021-01363-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-021-01363-9