A hybrid tubular SOFC/gas turbine power system is proposed to increase the endurance of UAS and RPA. The work to be performed in the five tasks within the 9 month Phase I effort is described in detail in the full proposal. The applicable aircraft and system requirements will be identified. A preliminary SOFC combustor will be designed and a bench-top parameters will be tested. The test results will be used to develop an overall propulsion system efficiency model and estimate endurance. Plans for Phases II and III will be developed based on the Phase I accomplishments.
Benefit: The work to be performed can be applied commercially in the fields of aerospace propulsion of UAS, and aerospace APU. Other applications include land based mobile propulsion systems, APU""s for portable power, and automotive electric power units. In general the proposed hybrid could benefit a large number of applications where a high system energy density is required. The SOFC/GT combustor hybrid could also be of interest in low emission applications.
