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L. ten Damme

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Part 2 - Refuelling time of the Airbus ZEROe turboprop concept

Journal article (2026) - L. ten Damme, M. van Put, A. Gangoli Rao
Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is gaining momentum as a sustainable aviation fuel, but its cryogenic nature poses significant challenges for ground operations, particularly aircraft refuelling. This process is increasingly recognised as a potential bottleneck for operational efficiency, as it can significantly extend turnaround times. Although some recent studies have proposed assumptions about LH2 refuelling rates, their conclusions vary widely, and detailed modelling efforts remain limited. This paper presents the second part of a two-part study that aims to improve understanding of the LH2 refuelling by delivering a validated numerical modelling framework and practical insights to support the design of future LH2-powered aircraft and their airport refuelling operations. Part 1 focused on developing and validating a thermodynamic model that captures key physical phenomena such as heat transfer and droplet dynamics. The model was validated against experimental data from the LH2 no-vent filling tests to demonstrate its accuracy in predicting relevant physical processes. In Part 2, the validated model is applied to a representative case study based on the Airbus ZEROe Turboprop concept. The objective is to quantify the refuelling time and hydrogen venting under realistic conditions. The simulation results indicate a refuelling time of approximately 19, min and ventilation losses of 36.7, kg, corresponding to approximately 2. 2 % of the total transferred LH2 mass. Although the duration of refuelling exceeds that of current kerosene-powered aircraft such as the Bombardier Q400, the overall turnaround time remains feasible if the LH2 refuelling process is carried out in parallel with other ground operations, subject to safety protocols. These findings challenge simplified assumptions in the previous literature and provide physics-based insight to support the design of safe and efficient LH2 fuelling procedures and infrastructure for future zero-emission aviation. ...
Journal article (2025) - L. ten Damme, M. van Put, A. Gangoli Rao
Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is a promising candidate for zero emission aviation, but its cryogenic properties make the refuelling process fundamentally different from that of conventional jet fuels. Although previous studies have addressed LH2 storage and system integration, detailed modelling of the refuelling process remains limited. This paper presents the first part of a two-part study focused on simulation of the refuelling process for an LH2-powered commercial aircraft. An existing tank model is substantially modified to more accurately capture relevant physical phenomena, including heat transfer and droplet dynamics during top-fill spray injection. Newly available experimental data on LH2 no-vent filling enables direct validation of the model under conditions that match the experimental setup. A sensitivity analysis identifies the most influential parameters that affect model precision, including loss coefficient, droplet diameter, radiative heat ingress, and vent-closing pressure. The validated model forms the basis for Part 2 of this study, in which it is applied to a representative LH2-powered commercial aircraft to simulate refuelling times, quantify venting losses, and assess the impact of key operational settings. These results support the design of efficient LH2 refuelling systems for future aircraft and airport infrastructure. ...