Sloshing-Induced Permeation of Hydrogen in Composite LH2 Storage Tanks under Aircraft Manoeuvring Loads

Project Overview

This PhD investigates how liquid hydrogen (LH₂) moves inside composite lightweight tanks during aircraft manoeuvring and assesses the risk of hydrogen permeation and leakage. The research combines scaled experimental studies with numerical modelling techniques including CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and FSI (Fluid-Structure Interaction) to simulate and understand sloshing effects on tank safety and performance under realistic flight conditions.

The project involves close collaboration with TWI Ltd for composite permeation analysis and offers engagement with aircraft manufacturers, fuel tank designers, and regulators, ensuring a high real-world impact.

What You Will Do

You will conduct hands-on laboratory experiments on cryogenic hydrogen sloshing and composite tank permeation, develop and validate multiphysics computational models, and work closely with industrial partners such as TWI Ltd for advanced material testing. Additional interdisciplinary training will include aircraft loading, cryogenics, flight data collection at Cranfield’s National Flying Laboratory Centre, aviation safety regulations, risk assessments (HAZOP), and participation in workshops on hydrogen certification.

Expected Outcomes

The research will produce critical cryogenic hydrogen sloshing and permeation data, validate predictive simulation tools, and generate design insights for safe, lightweight hydrogen storage tanks tailored for aerospace applications. Findings will support certification processes and contribute to the development of hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft technologies.

Why This Matters

Safe and efficient hydrogen storage is essential for enabling zero-emission aviation and meeting the UK’s net-zero targets. Understanding sloshing-induced permeation and tank integrity under flight conditions directly addresses safety and certification challenges, accelerating the adoption of hydrogen as a sustainable aviation fuel.