Conceptual cooling of superconducting motors in futuristic cryo-electric aviation using gaseous hydrogen

As Carbon footprint is one of the major challenges in aviation, researchers are focusing on alternative technologies in the enhancement of sustainable aviation systems that are environmentally sustainable. Further, weight to power ratio also must be reduced in order to reduce the fuel consumption and thereby to protect the environment. In recent years, superconducting motors are finding its application in aviation industry due to their efficiency and higher thrust generation. In addition, numerous studies propose the hybrid use of hydrogen as a clean energy source for an aircraft, as well as deploying it for the thermal management system of the entire propulsion system of the aircraft. Hence, Superconducting motors cooled by Gaseous hydrogen could be one of the alternatives in achieving the greater efficiency in aviation systems. In this work, a cryo-electric system cooled by gaseous hydrogen at 25 K is investigated under different rpm of the propulsive superconducting motor. Hydraulic characteristics are studied to analyze flow friction during the rotating motion of the motor. Heat transfer is carefully investigated, and it is suggested that there should be an optimum mass flow rate for enhanced heat transfer and a lower amount of friction factor.