Development of a Combustor for Integration with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Bundle for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Power Applications

As the aviation industry continues to address the environmental impacts of aircraft operation, hybrid electric propulsion systems have been identified as a potential solution. These hybrid electric aircraft engines could incorporate solid oxide fuel cells as a relatively lighter weight means of electric power generation, when compared to traditional batteries. However, several issues have arisen with regard to their integration within these larger propulsion systems. Two of which are the need for continuous thermal control of the fuel cell bundle during operation and the combustion of excess fuel exhausted from the fuel cell bundle. Both issues can be addressed with the implementation of a robust combustion process of the anode-off gas with the incoming cathode air supply. An investigation was conducted to develop a combustor capable of maintaining a robust flame for a variety of flowrate conditions imitating operation with an SOFC bundle when fed a CH4/Air mixture.