Performance characteristics of part-load operations of a solid oxide fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system using air-bypass valves

In spite of the high-performance characteristics of a solid oxide fuel cell/gas turbine (SOFC/GT) hybrid system, it is difficult to maintain high-level performance under real application conditions, which generally require part-load operations. The efficiency loss of the SOFC/GT hybrid system under such conditions is closely related to that of the gas turbine. The power generated by the gas turbine in a hybrid system is much less than that generated by the SOFC, but its contribution to the efficiency of the system is important, especially under part-load conditions. Over the entire operating load profile of a hybrid system, the efficiency of the hybrid system can be maximized by increasing the contribution of power coming from the high efficiency component, namely the fuel cell. In this study, part-load control strategies using air-bypass valves are proposed, and their impact on the performance of an SOFC/GT hybrid system is discussed. It is found that air-bypass modes with control of the fuel supply help to overcome the limits of the part-load operation characteristics in air/fuel control modes, such as variable rotational speed control and variable inlet guide vane control.