Performance assessment of pressurized SOFC power generation system for hypersonic vehicles: Thermodynamic analysis, system configuration optimization

The power supply is one of the most significant challenges in the development of long-endurance hypersonic vehicles. Introducing the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a potential solution that could achieve efficient energy conversion. However, the complex coupling relationship between the SOFC and the vehicles thermal protection system and the limitations of finite cold sources need to be discussed. In this study, a power generation system coupled with steam reforming and pressurized SOFC is developed and the system performance is evaluated by a lumped parameter model. The results indicate that the power generation of the proposed system with finite cold source is limited by the insufficient air supply. Further, the cathode exhaust recirculation is the optimal exhaust utilization configuration for the SOFC power generation system under finite cold source, which could achieve the optimal power generation performance (2280.45 kW at a cathode circulation ratio of 0.6) and provide the maximum available heat sink for the vehicle thermal protection. Considering the heat sink demand for vehicle thermal protection, the cathode circulation ratio of the proposed system should not be less than 0.46. This study provides new ideas and necessary theoretical support for power generation and thermal protection of hypersonic vehicles.