Performance Analysis of Aviation SOFC/GT Hybrid Power System Considering Hydrogen Energy

As the demand for energy conservation and emission reduction grows, efficient aviation propulsion systems are increasingly gaining attention. The solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine combined cycle (SOFC/GT) system, with its high efficiency and capability to adapt to clean fuels like hydrogen, is one of the most competitive solutions for achieving zero carbon emissions on large-scale aircraft. However, as the key components of this system are still in the conceptual stage, the power system needs to utilize forward design methods. The high degree of design freedom can lead to convergence challenges in the design process. Therefore, this study proposes a breakeven analysis method to determine the design space of the power system. Using this method, the key parameter design points for the hydrogen SOFC/GT system of a 350-seat blended-wing-body aircraft are determined. The range payload capabilities of the hydrogen SOFC/GT system are compared with the fuel-based and hydrogen-based turbo-electric configurations. The results indicate that the hydrogen SOFC/GT system can achieve performance levels comparable to conventional power systems with lower fuel consumption. However, the power-to-weight ratio of SOFC/GT and hydrogen-storage capacities limit further performance enhancements, necessitating breakthroughs in these key technologies.