Session: 06-04 Fuel Cell Driven Cycles I

Paper Number: 127431

127431 - Thermodynamic Analysis of a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) Hybrid System for Marine Applications 

The maritime industry plays a vital role in global trade and transportation, but its contribution to environmental pollution, particularly in terms of emissions, has become a pressing concern. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, there is an increasing imperative to address and mitigate the carbon footprint of the marine industry. This paper presents a thermodynamic analysis of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid system tailored to marine applications. The integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) with gas turbines holds immense potential for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of marine propulsion systems. A steady-state thermodynamic model of a SOFC-GT was developed using Aspen Plus software, incorporating built-in modules and functions coupled with a Fortran code for SOFC electrochemistry. The modeling approach was validated against NASA’s SOFC model, created using their Numerical Propulsion System Simulator (NPSS), and publicly available data from a Westinghouse 120kW tubular SOFC, with both data sets matched within a 1% error margin. With confidence in the model's accuracy established, the study investigated the complex interactions between the SOFC and gas turbine components within the hybrid system, considering various operating conditions and load profiles relevant to marine applications. The analysis encompassed the assessment of key parameters such as thermal efficiency, power output, and fuel utilization, providing insights into the system's overall performance under diverse scenarios. Additionally, the study explored the impact of varying fuel types and compositions on the hybrid system's efficiency, emphasizing the adaptability of the technology to different marine fuels facilitated by the internal reforming capabilities of the high-temperature SOFC.

Presenting Author: Badamasi Babaji King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Presenting Author Biography: Badamasi is a Ph.D. student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Prof. James Turner. His research focuses on system-level modeling of gas turbine/high-temperature fuel cell hybrid systems for automotive, aero, and marine applications. He holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Istanbul Technical University and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Turkish Aeronautical Association. Before joining KAUST, he worked as a propulsion system R&D engineer at Semai Aviation in Istanbul.

Authors:

Badamasi Babaji King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
James Turner King Abdullah University of Science and Technology