Structural and Operational Design of an Innovative Airship Drone for Natural Gas Transport over Long Distances

The present paper illustrates the main aspects related to the conceptual design of an innovative transportation mean for natural gas. The analysis regarded the structural (stress and deformation) and technical (propulsive and structural) features as well as the overall calculation of a reduced scale (7.5 m length ) airship drone prototype, able to carry out natural gas transport, contained in sealed bags, between two pre-defined departure and arrival stations, in accordance with the ENAC regulations. The proposed drone vehicle envisages the implementation of innovative solutions both for structural, motion (such as the remote control, the thermal and electric propulsion) and for materials employed.