An ultra-capacitor is an electrical component with the ability to stor e hundred times more electrical charge in comparison to a conventional capacitor. The technology behind the device was developed by General Electric in 1957 through the electric double-layer capacitor effect. However, for this technology to be come what it is today , advancement in manufacturing processes and materials played a pivotal role. New companies such as Tecate Group PowerBust have emerged as key players in the ultracapacitor market (Tecate Group, 2011). Just like any other industry, aviation has been keen on enhancing energy efficiency . T he industry has embraced the incorporation of ultracapacitors as core elements in the manufactur e of aircraft s . Thus, this essay is aimed at expounding on the use of ultra-capacitors in aviation.
According to Warwick (2016), ultra-capacitors have sufficed in the recent years as vital in the assembly of aircrafts . This is due to a demand within the aviation industry for “improvements in energy storage, principally batteries” (Warwick, 2016). The ultracapacitors have been pinpointed due to their unique attributes. For instance, they can meet peak power needs if the power is required in short bursts. Likewise, t he ultracapacitors have the capacity to stor e m ore energy compared to the lithium - ion batteries . This is because the y p ossess a higher energy density . In this case, energy or power density is “ the measure of how much power an energy-storage device can deliver on demand . ” (Warwick, 2016). In ultra-capacitors, this is made possible by “ the use of porous activated carbon electrode to achieve a high surface area” (Warwick, 2016) .
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Another factor that drives the demand of ultracapacitors in the aviation industry is their charging rate. Unlike conventional capacitors and batteries, ultracapacitors charge and discharge faster. This is because no chemical reactions are involved (Tecate Group, 2011). High current charging and discharging is attain ed w ithout any damage occurring to its parts. Moreover , the ultracapacitors “last for many charging cycles” (Warwick, 2016). This makes them ideal for the energy needs associated with aircraft s . For instance, due to th eir ability to release the stored energy fast er , ultra-capacitors are deemed suitable for applications where power peak is necessary . Such applications include the opening of Airbus A380 doors, stabilization of an aircraft in high winds, or repositioning the antenna on a communications satellite . These applications are energy-intensive , and th e ultracapacitors are thus vital in providing a continuous power supply for many hours (Tecate Group, 2011). In other aircraft designs, the ultracapacitors are preferred over standard capacitors since they can meet energy demands in a lighter system structured for low approximated power levels.
Other pros associated with the use of ultracapacitors include the capa city to operate in a wide range of temperatures. In some instances , ultra-capacitors are known to provide energy at temperatures as low as -40°C. F urther , the devices have a low internal resistance which faci litates their high power density capabilities (Tecate Group, 2011). U ltracapacitors are also made up of non-flammable materials . This makes them ideal for use in the variation industry and aircraft s in particular. The short bursts of high power are fundamental in the execution of various aircraft operat ions. According to Warwick (2016), “ many hydraulic and pneumatic powered aircraft systems operate for only 30-60 seconds to raise or lower the landing or high-lift devices . ”
It is prudent to note that ultracapacitors do not in any way compet e with batteries. Rather, t he two complement each other in most hybrid power systems. In this regard, Warwick (2016) cites that “ ultracapacitors are used for peak power and batteries for long-term energy . ” It is for this reason that ultracapacitors continue to capture the imagination of many players in the aviation industry. Such c ompanies as Skeleto n are keen on boosting the energy density in the ultracapacitors. This is driven by the continued production of more electric aircraft s . In conclusion, the vital role of ultra-capacitors in aviation cannot be overstated .
References
Tecate Group. (n.d). What is an ultracapacitor? Retrieved from https://www.tecategroup.com/app_notes/0_Tecate_Group_What%20is%20an%20ultracapacitor.pdf
Warwick, G. (2016, July 19). Ultracapacitors eyed for hybrid, more-electric applications. Foresternetwork.com. Retrieved from http://foresternetwork.com/daily/energy/energy-storage-solutions-latest/ultracapacitors-eyed-for-hybrid-more-electric-applications/
