CFPs: Crashworthiness of Fuselage Integrated LH2 Storage Solutions

Develop and validate the crashworthiness of a fuselage integrated LH2 storage system (LH2 tank) through the development of transient numerical models for the complete system and validation through a complete barrel section ground test demonstration. Identification of the certification route challenges and development of adequate means of compliance to reach a TRL5 by the end of the project, supporting the development and the demonstration of safe operation of the future HPA aircraft.

Funding Information

• Indicative budget
  • The total indicative funding budget for the topic is EUR 5 million.
  • The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking may award up to 1 project with funding depending on the outcome of the evaluation and the complementarity of the proposed actions.
• Indicative project duration
  • Maximum 24 months.

Topics

• The topic intends to develop the test and simulation means to demonstrate an equivalent level of safety for all otherwise survivable crash condition of a LH2 tank installed in the aircraft fuselage to the state-of-the-art kerosene/SAF aircraft. As this demonstration will be closely linked to the detailed installation solution, the proposals shall:
  • Define a LH2 tank (including an appropriate representation of theLH2 systems) and fuselage installation concept in close cooperation with the end users (hydrogen powered aircraft concept owners and any other end user identified), based on the hydrogen powered aircraft LH2 tanks integration concepts to ensure representativeness of the system.
  • Consider outcomes of previous LH2 tank development and fuselage integration research activities through the implementation of synergies.
  • Consider the effect of different tank design and integration concepts on the aircraft crashworthiness through a dedicated sensitivity study.
• The contribution of the topic to the certification aspects will be handled by the industrial end-user of the project and, where appropriate, with the support of the consortium members.

Performance Targets

• A number of top-level goals will be the basis for performance targets, in particular:
  • Develop a research and test environment capable of demonstrating the crashworthiness safety achieved for a fuselage installed LH2 tank concept in comparison to an existing CS-25 aircraft.
  • Contribute to the maturation of the certification readiness level (CRL) of the LH2 storage and distribution technologies developed in Clean Aviation Phase 2 and establish a roadmap to CRL 6
  • Increase the knowledge and experience with aircraft safety regulation and the development of acceptable means of compliance for aircraft structures and systems, more specifically for crashworthiness conditions on CS-25 LH2 aircraft applications.
  • Demonstrate a TRL5 technology maturity for the fuselage-tank interfaces and the energy absorbent or crushable structures used to mitigate tank damage in a crash event.
  • Additional performance target shall be identified as part of the proposal to define the target accuracy between the modelling and the corresponding experimental validation.

Expected Outcomes 

• Project results are expected to provide or contribute to the following expected outcomes:
  • Demonstrate on ground the mechanical integration of a liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank installed in the aircraft rear fuselage section (caudal installation) and the crashworthiness safety for a CS-25 Hydrogen powered aircraft concept with an Entry in service (EIS) by 2035.
  • Develop and demonstrate technologies to mitigate the LH2 tank damage during a crash event.
  • Identify and implement synergies with activities funded under research and innovation programmes at regional108, national109 and European110 level, and demonstrate how the project will benefit from these activities by detailing the specific contributions to the expected outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

• Special eligibility condition – limitation of the types of legal entities eligible to coordinate the project
  • The coordinator role shall be limited to legal entities having the following type of organisation:
    •  University
    • Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) or
    • SME (legal entities are advised to confirm their SME status)
• Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from no associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
• A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
• Entities eligible for funding:
  • To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
    • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
      • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
    • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
      • Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
    • Countries associated to Horizon Europe;
      • Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more information, visit EC.