Abstract
The safe and efficient storage of H2 on-board future aircraft is the essential enabler of H2 technologies and will be one of the most complex aerospace engineering challenges that the industry has ever faced. COCOLIH2T (COmposite COnformal LIquid H2 Tank) project, led by Collins Aerospace, is proposing a disruptive concept focused on reducing the impact of the tank’s weight and volume within an aircraft, while ensuring system safety. COCOLIH2T will not only develop a safe composite and vacuum insulated LH2 tank for the aviation sector but has the ambition to go beyond by designing and manufacturing a conformal tank through novel fabrication technologies enabling a reduction of more than 60% in production energy consumption, at least 50% in production time leading to significantly lower manufacturing costs. Additionally, the proposed structure of the tank, based on a multi-material thermoplastic composite concept, is intended to facilitate aircraft structural integration to support overall system weight reduction compared with conventional tank configurations. COCOLIH2T’s overall system will be demonstrated at TRL4 by the end of the project. COCOLIH2T started in February 2023 and will run for 36 months.
COCOLIH2T is a project funded by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU) under the Horizon Europe programme. The project was selected after successful submission to the call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022-1 and more specifically the topic HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022-03-07 “Development of specific aviation cryogenic storage system with a gauging, fuel metering, heat management and monitoring system” (Pillar 3.1 Hydrogen end uses – Transport applications of the Clean Hydrogen JU Scientific Research Innovation Agenda or SRIA). COCOLIH2T is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA).
Objectives
COCOLIH2T aims to design, develop, manufacture, and demonstrate a disruptive innovative composite, conformal box shaped LH2 storage solution with a variable section for commercial aerospace applications including necessary sub-systems, while ensuring safe operation. COCOLIH2T will consecutively build two functional demonstrators.
COCOLIH2T MAIN OBJECTIVE
Design, develop, and manufacture a disruptive, safe, and lightweight LH2 storage system for the aviation sector with increased volumetric efficiency.
COCOLIH2T MAIN ENABLER
Use of composite lightweight material, while designing a conformal LH2 storage tank that includes subsystems for its safe functioning.
DEMONSTRATOR 1
The consortium will focus on the design and development of a lightweight LH2 tank including liner and insulation.
DEMONSTRATOR 2
The tank will be integrated with its sub-systems (metering, gauging, SHM, overpressure, thermal management, boil off, sloshing, vaporising) to be ready for validation of its operation.
N°101101404
Grant Agreement
Collins Aerospace
Coordinator
Budget
Project duration
01/02/2023
31/01/2026
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EASA dedicated page on COCOLIH2T
EASA dedicated a page to our project. Go to this link COCOLIH2T - Composite COnformal LIquid H2 Tank | EASA (europa.eu) and check our project objectives and outcomes. #hydrogen #TRA2024 #cleanhydrogen #hydrogenflight
Transport Research Arena Conference, Dublin, 15th to18th April 2024
Event: TRA Conference
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Date: 15th to 18th of April 2024
COCOLIH2T Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and General Assembly, 25th to 27th of October 2023, Delft, the Netherlands
Event: PDR and General Assembly
Location: Delft, the Netherlands
Date: 25th to 27th of October 2023