Experimental Investigation on Fuel Cell Reactor for SOFC/Gas Turbine Hybrid Propulsion

A hybrid gas turbine system incorporating SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) have been studied for the future aircraft electric propulsion. Tubular SOFC is used as a fuel injector in an SOFC reactor that combusts excess fuel exhausted from the SOFC. A lab-scale model of SOFC reactor was developed and tested. Experiments on excess fuel combustion and power generation were conducted. To prevent SOFC from damage due to heat load by the flame, an alumina ceramic capillary tube was installed at the end of a SOFC tube and stabilized a hydrogen flame. The effects of SOFC power generation on flame stabilization and the result of open circuit voltage measurements during flame stabilization were reported.