Application analysis of a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine system for marine power plants

Abstract

The results of theoretical studies of the possibilities of using hybrid solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC-GT) systems for marine power plants are presented. A 500 kW auxiliary marine power plant scheme using stacks of SOFCs in combination with a regenerative gas turbine operating with overexpansion based on our recent patent application is proposed. The results of mathematical modelling showed the opportunity to obtain a hybrid scheme efficiency of about 55% with the optimal values of the gas turbine compression ratio 2.0-2.2 and the exhauster compressor ratio 1.3-1.4. The application of the considered hybrid SOFC-GT system gives an increase in electrical efficiency by 19% in comparison with a cycle without a gas turbine. The aerodynamic structure of chemically reacting flows in a combustor is determined, as well as the features of the formation of toxic components during the combustion of SOFC off-gas with very low heating value.

Fuel Cells - An Overview of Their Green Value and Readiness Levels

“…Thus, SOFCs can be used in developing high efficiency heat and power cogeneration plants (54,119,120,122,123). For these reasons, SOFCs are deemed the best choice for medium to large power applications (43,44) with stack sizes from 1 KW to 2 MW (37).They have a wide range of applications including propulsion due to faster refuelling, higher energy density and battery inefficiency (124,125), residential off-grid applications (115), industrial use (54), integration (119,(126)(127)(128)(129), multigeneration (120,130,131) and energy storage (132). While the SOFC has advantages that position it as an ideal source of alternative energy, there are technical challenges that hinder it from mass commercialization and certain applications.…”