Projeto conceitual de um veiculo aéreo não tripulado movido a células a combustível de hidrogênio

Abstract

With the increasing degree of pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels in aviation, fuel cell powered propulsion systems represent one of the most promising technology for reducing polluting gases emission resulting from combustion, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Small unmanned aerial vehicles are presented as promising means of applicating fuel cell technology, due to their low autonomy and range, a consequence of the limitations of current battery technology. In this work, the conceptual design of a small unmanned aerial vehicle powered by fuel cell is carried out, based mainly on the consecrated works of aircraft design text books as well as on the most recent scientific research on the subject of fuel cells. The project specifications were defined based on already existing battery powered UAVs. Finally, the possibility of improving the performance of small, battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicles, through the implementation of fuel cell power is investigated. A small UAV (4.9 kg) was then designed with a fixed wing configuration, conventional empennage and an electric motor positioned on the nose of the aircraft. An increase in range and decrease in autonomy was found for the projected UAV. The decrease in autonomy can be explained by anunoptimized estimate of the required power of flight in the early stages of design. Finally, it was possible to exemplify, in general lines, the conceptual design process of a fuel cell powered aircraft.