Structural integration of a full-composite, double-walled, vacuum-insulated, cryo-compressed tank for the Flying V: a numerical study

Hydrogen is being investigated as aviation fuel, with the objective to achieve an energy transition for the aviation sector. Effective storage solutions are crucial to mitigate the aerodynamic penalty caused by its low volumetric energy density. The focus of this study is the integration of a cryo-compressed vacuum-insulated storage vessel into the primary structure of aircraft, aiming to enhance structural efficiency. This is achieved by implementing analytical methods to analyse the thermo-mechanical loading of the inner and outer walls of the fuel tank. It is envisioned that the inner wall rather than the outer wall is more suitable to sustain additional loads. However, it is unclear how the cryogenic environment affects the stress state of the composite material. This research contributes to the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft by addressing critical aspects of hydrogen storage, thereby driving the energy transition within the aviation industry.