Innovating Aircraft Propulsion: A Closer Look at the exFan Project

In the fast-paced world of aviation, innovation is the driving force behind progress. At the heart of this innovation lies the exFan project—an ambitious proposal aiming at transforming aircraft propulsion through practical, environmentally conscious means.

But what exactly is exFan? Simply put the exFan project, short for "Novel Recuperation System to Maximize Exergy from Anergy for Fuel Cell Powered Geared Electric Aircraft Propulsion System”, it's a 4-year EUROPE HORIZON research project with a clear mission: to redefine the way aircraft engines work, making them more efficient and eco-friendlier.

Commencing in December 2023, this project spans a duration of 4 years and brings together a consortium of 11 partners hailing from 5 countries. CIDETEC Surface Engineering leads the coordination, in collaboration with ADT and TUW, while partners such as Fraunhofer IAPT, DLR, PowerID, EASN-TIS, IRES, FZG/TUM, and Egile Mechanics contribute expertise and resources to drive the project forward. Up to now, exFan has been making steady progress:

Environmental Modeling: The exFan team has been diligently developing advanced environmental models. These models aren't just theoretical—they're practical tools that help design propulsion systems capable of performing optimally in a variety of real-world conditions, from scorching heat to freezing cold.

Heat Propulsor Innovation: One of the key focuses of the exFan project is the development of a groundbreaking heat propulsor system. By harnessing and re-purposing waste heat, it is aimed to maximize the efficiency of aircraft propulsion systems. exFan engineers have been hard at work refining this technology to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

Exploring Aircraft Configurations: A range of different aircraft configurations, searching for the perfect balance of performance, efficiency, and practicality has been explored. Through rigorous testing and analysis, exFan research team narrowed down its options to eight (8) promising configurations that show great potential for the future of aviation.

Partnering with Industry Leaders: Collaboration is key to success, and exFan is proud to have partnered with leading industry players such as Conscious Aerospace, Safran, and AKG. Their insights and expertise have been invaluable in guiding the project and ensuring that produced efforts align with the needs and expectations of the aviation industry.

Looking ahead: The exFan project represents not just a technological innovation, but a commitment to creating a more sustainable future for aviation. By combining practicality, creativity, and teamwork, exFan partners are confident that they can transform aircraft propulsion and contribute to a more environmentally friendly and efficient future.

Join the exFan Project at The Vienna Aviation Days!

In line with its commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange, the exFan project is excited to announce The Vienna Aviation Days, taking place on July 8th and 9th, 2024. This event will serve as a platform for discussing green aviation topics, connecting aviation research projects, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Hosted by TUW and powered by ADT, The Vienna Aviation Days will focus on hydrogen propulsion systems, with participating projects presenting their activities and engaging in discussions aimed at driving innovation and collaboration in the field of aviation. Attendees are invited to save the date and join the exFan project in Vienna for an insightful exchange of ideas and opportunities for collaboration!