Integrated Performance Modeling of Aircraft Engines Based on Hydrogen Combustion

Journal article, 2026

Hydrogen is gaining momentum as a potential aviation fuel due to its ability to eliminate CO2 emissions and its significant potential for long-term climate impact mitigation. However, the integration of hydrogen into existing gas turbine engines introduces substantial challenges, particularly in cryogenic storage, fuel conditioning, and combustion system adaptation. This paper presents the development and integration of a comprehensive hydrogen storage and conditioning system into the Modular Aircraft Engine Performance Tool for Sustainable Aviation (MAPLE) to evaluate the feasibility and operational impact of hydrogen-fueled engines for an Airbus A320-class aircraft. Key system components are designed and analyzed with respect to their mass, aerodynamic impacts, and performance across representative flight missions. This includes cryogenic tank configurations placed behind the passenger cabin or behind and above it, various fuel pump operating strategies, as well as two preheating concepts with heat exchangers used for intercooling (IC) or exhaust gas cooling. Their influence on engine performance, including fuel consumption and emissions such as NOx and water vapor, is examined. Results indicate the technical feasibility of hydrogen integration, though penalties in weight and aerodynamics must be carefully managed. Furthermore, the heat exchanger architecture is shown to have a critical impact on overall engine efficiency and climate-relevant emissions. From an engine performance perspective, the most feasible configuration includes tanks behind the cabin and exhaust gas cooling. Intercooling offers better NOx reduction but is limited by icing concerns. This study provides a comprehensive system design and performance analysis of hydrogen as an aviation fuel, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative and identifying key areas requiring further research and high-fidelity validation.