This research goes throughout the general design steps for an airship starting by skeleton, outer surface and balloons that give the airship the necessary buoyant force to fly by filling these balloons with a lifting gas that is less dense than the surrounding air. Controlling the airships altitude, it could be achieved by changing the overall density of airship. The Drag coefficient is calculated using ANSYS, therefore the thrust power required for airship to move is calculated.
Different energy alternatives used to drive the airship was comprehensively studied for economic operation. These alternatives vary between renewable (Solar energy and fuel cell) and traditional (diesel) energies. A Comparison between these alternatives is presented. It was found that solar energy with fuel cell is the most effective system for long duration flights (greater than 14 days). Although traditional energy (diesel) seems most economical in short duration flights (less than 14 days), the renewable energies are environmental friendly where there is no harmful exhaust as well as minimum fire and explosion risk.
Rigid airship is a mean of transportation that can be used to flourish economy. Airships can be used in different applications such as Freight and passengers' transportation, communications, weather forecasting, agriculture, observing environment, conditions monitoring for farmlands, tourism, as a crane and in research.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.A. Airships versus planes
1.B. Airship types
2. Airship Systems Design
2.1 Airship Body
2.2 Helium Balloons
2.3 Airship Propulsion
2.4 Vertical take-off and landing VTOL
3. Energy Alternatives Analysis and Results
3.1 Alternative 1 : Fuel cell with hydrogen charging on ground
3.2 Alternative 2 : Solar energy with fuel cell
3.3 Alternative 3 : Hybrid Solar energy & fuel cell storage filled on ground
3.4 Alternative 4 : Diesel Engines & electrical generators
4. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive design model for a rigid airship, investigate its internal systems, calculate power consumption, and perform a comparative analysis of different energy supply alternatives to identify the most effective solution for various flight durations.
- Rigid airship structural design and material selection.
- Aerodynamic performance and propulsion power calculations using ANSYS.
- Comparative analysis of renewable versus traditional energy sources.
- Operational efficiency optimization through vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and ballast control.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Airship Body
The airship body consists of aluminum frame structure surrounded by outer envelope consists of three layers made of different materials. The airship body shape is Tri-axial ellipsoid with distinct semi-axis lengths where c>b>a as illustrated in Figure 2. In this case, a=20 m, b=30 m, c=50 m. So for the airship, H=2a, W=2b, L=2c.
Taking into consideration these dimensions, then using Ellipsoid equations to calculate volume and surface area of airship yields:
Airship volume is
V = 4/3 πabc = 4/3 π * 20 * 30 * 50 = 125663.7 m3
The Surface Area of the airship is calculated by the following approximate formula
A ≅ 4π((ab)^p + (ac)^p + (bc)^p)/3^(1/p) = 13475.55m2
Where p ≈ 1.6075 for spherical ellipsoids. (Knud Thomsen's formula) (3) .
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of airship technology, comparing it to traditional aircraft and outlining the fundamental classifications of airships.
2. Airship Systems Design: Details the structural engineering, including the frame, hull skin, helium balloon configuration, and the propulsion and control systems required for operation.
3. Energy Alternatives Analysis and Results: Evaluates four different power configurations—fuel cells, solar energy, hybrid systems, and diesel engines—regarding weight, payload capacity, and flight duration.
4. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes findings to recommend solar energy with fuel cells as the most effective solution for long-duration flights while emphasizing the environmental benefits of non-combustion energy sources.
Keywords
Airship, solar airship, airship design, propulsion, drag coefficient, ANSYS, energy alternatives, Ragone chart, fuel cells, vertical take-off and landing, buoyancy, structural analysis, renewable energy, hydrogen storage, thin film substrates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the engineering design of a rigid airship, including the selection of materials for the frame and envelope, and a comparative analysis of different power systems to achieve efficient long-duration flight.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key areas include structural design, aerodynamic analysis, propulsion requirements, energy storage systems, and environmental sustainability in airship operation.
What is the main goal of this study?
The study aims to develop a viable airship model and determine the most effective energy system by comparing renewable and traditional power sources for different mission durations.
Which scientific methodologies are employed?
The research utilizes geometric modeling, mathematical physics for buoyancy and surface area calculations, and computational fluid dynamics (ANSYS) for calculating drag coefficients.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main part covers the design of the airship body and aluminum frame, helium balloon configuration, propulsion mechanisms, vertical take-off and landing procedures, and a detailed performance analysis of four energy alternatives.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The research is best characterized by terms such as rigid airship, solar airship, propulsion, energy alternatives, and fuel cells.
Why is solar energy with fuel cells considered the best option for long-duration flights?
The research concludes that this combination allows for theoretically unlimited flight duration without the need for traditional refueling, while remaining environmentally friendly by avoiding combustion.
How does the ballast control system function?
The system uses a PID controller that receives feedback from onboard instruments, such as electronic gyroscopes, to manage helium distribution and compressor operation to maintain altitude and inclination.
How is the drag coefficient determined for the airship model?
The drag coefficient is estimated using the ANSYS Fluent 15.0.0 software, where an airship model is created, meshed, and simulated to obtain the value of 0.058.
What is the significance of the Ragone chart in this paper?
The Ragone chart is used to compare the performance of various energy-storing devices by plotting energy density against power density, assisting in the calculation of required weights for the airship's energy systems.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mahmoud Hebeshy (Autor:in), 2018, Rigid Airship Energy Systems. Renewable versus traditional energy, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/465515
