Optimization Design of SOFC-GT Hybrid Power System for Aviation Application

Abstract

Developing high-efficiency and low-carbon propulsion systems is a pressing concern within the aviation field. This paper studies a hybrid power system that combines a solid oxide fuel cell and a gas turbine (SOFC-GT) with propane as fuel, which is easy to store and has a high energy density. The analysis focuses on key parameters such as compressor pressure ratio, fuel utilization rate, and fuel distribution. And a balance between system efficiency and the power-to-weight ratio has been achieved through multi-objective optimization. The conclusions indicate that system efficiency and system weight in the hybrid power system are optimized in opposite directions. Within the design parameters, the hybrid power system’s efficiency achieves 0.621, the specific fuel consumption is 115.2 g/kWh, and the power-to-weight ratio is 0.569 kW/kg. Further discussion on the application of this hybrid system in long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles shows an efficiency of 0.651 during the cruise phase, indicating a promising application prospect of a propane-fueled SOFC-GT hybrid system in the aviation field.