Hideyuki Uechi

Cycle Analysis of Gas Turbine–Fuel Cell Cycle Hybrid Micro Generation System

Small distributed generation systems are currently attracting much attention because of their high energy utilization efficiency. Among them, a hybrid system based on micro gas turbine (µGT) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is expected to achieve much higher efficiency than a traditional µGT. In this paper, we investigate the effects of cycle design parameters on the performance and feasibility of a µGT-SOFC hybrid system for small apartments and businesses. As a result, a general design strategy is found that less direct fuel input to combustor as well as higher recuperator effectiveness leads to higher generation efficiency, while higher steam-carbon ratio moderates requirements for the material strength. It is also confirmed that the hybrid system is much superior to the recuperated gas turbine in terms of its power efficiency and aptitude for small distributed generation. A conceptual design of a 30kW µGT-SOFC hybrid system, of which diameter and height are 750mm and 1500mm, respectively, is shown to give power efficiency over 65% (LHV) in the best possible case.

Multi-Stage Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Hybrid Power Plant System

Today, the need to develop more efficient thermal power systems that emit less greenhouse effect gas has become a paramount importance. In line with this awareness, our research has leapt into such development that the combination of SOFC and Gas Turbine could generate power at extremely high efficiency. In this paper, we would like to present our concept of Inter Cooled Multistage SOFC-GT Hybrid Power System, developed to maximize fuel heat input to the system. We propose the combination of F-class GT (TIT 1350°C class) and 5 stage SOFC as the best for the hybrid power plant system and 77% (LHV base) is achieved at high pressure ratio.Copyright