Enhancing Safety in Hydrogen-Powered Aviation through Blast Load Analysis
Key Ideas
  • Investigation of liquid hydrogen detonation in aircraft tail cones reveals potential risks and critical damage zones.
  • Use of LS-DYNA CESE-Chemistry solver with Immersed Boundary FSI validates blast load and structural response models.
  • Parametric studies highlight key factors influencing structural deformations, aiding in safer aircraft design for hydrogen use.
  • Research contributes to closing regulatory gaps and promoting the adoption of hydrogen-powered aviation for reduced emissions.
The thesis presented at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in Delft focused on the analysis of blast loads and structural responses in aircraft tail cones resulting from a worst-case hydrogen-air detonation. The study emphasized the potential of liquid hydrogen to reduce CO₂ emissions in aviation while acknowledging the explosion risks associated with its unique properties. Using the LS-DYNA CESE-Chemistry solver with an 8-step reaction mechanism and Immersed Boundary FSI, the research validated detonation and structural models through comparison with experimental data, demonstrating good agreement. The results highlighted multiple reflected pressure peaks in the tail cone, with critical damage zones identified at specific locations like the bulkhead center and edge. Parametric studies conducted in the research shed light on the significant influence of factors such as ignition distance, bulkhead thickness, and radius on structural deformations. Ultimately, the findings aim to establish a foundation for the development of safer aircraft designs powered by hydrogen, addressing existing regulatory gaps in explosion safety within the aviation industry. Dr. S. G. P. Castro supervised the research, emphasizing the importance of enhancing safety measures and advancing hydrogen-powered aviation for a more sustainable future.
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