An integrated conceptual design framework for hydrogen-powered aircraft: propulsion, thermal management and environmental performance

Abstract

The future of aviation depends on energy transition and environmental mitigation. Hydrogen-powered aircraft offer the potential to eliminate carbon emissions during flight, but their integration poses major challenges in storage, thermal management, and pollutant emissions. This study explores the conceptual design of a hydrogen-powered aircraft with focus on thermal management. A computational framework was developed to evaluate propulsion and thermal management systems integration, liquid hydrogen storage implications, and mission level emissions. Parametric analyses and multi-objective optimisation explore how design variables affect take-off mass, thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, and emissions. Results show hydrogen turbofan propulsion is technically feasible, offering benefits in fuel consumption, thermal storage, and in-flight CO $$_2$$ emissions. However, challenges remain due to large tank volumes and emissions of nitrogen oxides and water vapour, which may increase the likelihood of contrail formation at cruise altitudes.