Picture: Conflux Technology
Australian company Conflux Technology is developing a heat exchanger as part of Airbus’s ZEROe program, manufactured using additive manufacturing and intended for use in hydrogen-based fuel cell systems. The component is currently undergoing a technology readiness assessment and is expected to become a key element in the thermal management of megawatt-class fuel cells for aviation.
Fuel cells generate significant amounts of heat during operation. To ensure that systems on aircraft can operate reliably and safely, compact and highly efficient heat exchangers are required. Conflux is relying on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and laboratory testing to design structures that deliver high efficiency while remaining lightweight. Additive manufacturing enables complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using conventional manufacturing methods.
“Our work with Airbus marks a significant step forward in the application of additive manufacturing to sustainable aviation,” said Michael Fuller, CEO of Conflux Technology. “Thermal management is a core enabler for hydrogen propulsion, and our expertise is helping to advance this technology from lab to flight.”
The Airbus ZEROe project aims to put a commercially viable hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft into service. Partner companies such as Conflux are providing key technologies that are essential for the safety and efficiency of these systems. The Conflux heat exchanger is currently being evaluated within the Airbus overall system, with further development and integration testing planned in the coming months.
Projects like this demonstrate how 3D printing is gaining importance even in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, as it enables the production of components with optimized performance and reduced weight.