Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine Model Development for Electric Aviation

Joshua A. Wilson, Yudong Wang, John Carroll, Jonathan Raush, Gene Arkenberg, Emir Dogdibegovic, Scott Swartz, David Daggett, Subhash Singhal and Xiao-Dong Zhou
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Joshua A. Wilson: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
Yudong Wang: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
John Carroll: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
Jonathan Raush: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
Gene Arkenberg: Nexceris LLC, 404 Enterprise Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
Emir Dogdibegovic: Nexceris LLC, 404 Enterprise Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
Scott Swartz: Nexceris LLC, 404 Enterprise Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
David Daggett: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
Subhash Singhal: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
Xiao-Dong Zhou: Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: A thermodynamic model was developed and validated to analyze a high-performance solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid power system for electric aviation. This study used a process simulation software package (ProMax) to study the role of SOFC design and operation on the feasibility and performance of the hybrid system. Standard modules, including compressor, turbine, heat exchanger, reforming reactor, and combustor were used from the ProMax tool suite while a custom module was created to simulate the SOFC stack. The model used an SOFC test data set as an input. Additional SOFC stack performance effects, such as pressure, temperature, and utilization of air and fuel, were added from open source data. System performance predictors were SOFC specific power, fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency, and hybrid system efficiency. Using these input data and predictors, a static thermodynamic performance model was created that can be modified for different system configurations and operating conditions. Prior to creating the final aircraft performance model, initial demonstration models were developed to validate output results. We used the NASA SOFC model as a benchmark, which was created with their Numerical Propulsion System Simulator (NPSS) software framework. Our output results matched within 1% of both the NASA model and open source SOFC performance data. With confidence gained in the accuracy of this model, a 1-MW SOFC-GT hybrid power system was constructed for an aircraft propulsion concept. Overall hybrid system efficiencies of > 75% FTE were observed during standard 36,000 feet cruise flight conditions.

Keywords: solid oxide fuel cell; modeling; electric airplane; hybrid power system; thermodynamic model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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