University of Maryland (UMD)

The University of Maryland is developing a highly efficient and cost-effective hybrid-electric turbogenerator suitable for powering narrow-body aircraft. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with integrated autothermal reformer is incorporated directly into the flow path of a gas turbine engine that also drives an electrical generator. The engine moves air through the system while boosting efficiency by recovering waste heat and unused fuel from the fuel cell. The system operates on carbon-neutral, liquefied bio-methane. Phase 1 of this project will include development and testing of low temperature, redox-stable, high power density SOFCs; design, fabrication and testing of a lab-scale integrated autothermal reformer/SOFC/combustor that mitigates risks for thermomechanical failure; and the design of a full-scale (26 MW) ESPG system. When integrated with a highly efficient turbo-generator, fuel storage tank, and battery, this ESPG system yields specific energy > 3kW/kg, specific power > 0.75 kW/kg, cost of fuel per delivered energy <$0.15/kWh, and an initial capital cost < $1000/kW. If successful, this technology could eliminate a significant fraction of the 174.8 million metric tons of CO2 produced each year by air travel in the U.S.

Electrified aviation propulsion systems have the potential to achieve ultra-high fuel-to-propulsive power conversion efficiencies compared with existing turbofan and turboprop systems.