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DOE OSTI · 3017385

System Analysis of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) - Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Hybrid Cycle

Kalungi, Paul [West Virginia University (WVU)]·Colon-Rodriguez, Jose [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory]·Harun, Nor [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory]·Zhou, Nana [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory]·Tucker, David [NETL] (ORCID:0000000322144577)·Sabolsky, Edward [West Virginia University (WVU)] (ORCID:0000000201978030)
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Abstract

The variability of renewable energy sources poses challenges for reliable grid operation. Conventional thermal power sources, though reliable, often lack operational flexibility. Hybrid energy systems that integrate Solid Oxide Fuel cells (SOFC) with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) offer a promising solution by achieving relatively higher efficiency and grid-following capability. This study investigates performance of a 100-kW pressurized SOFC-ICE hybrid cycle. In this configuration, unutilized SOFC fuel is used to drive the engine, with a turbocharger providing air supply and an external reformer generating syngas. System components were numerically modeled using MATLAB/SIMULINK for the SOFC and reformer, and EBSILON® for the ICE and balance of plant. Parametric studies varied fuel utilization (70-90%), reformer temperature (600 – 1000K), anode off-gas recirculation (0 – 70%), and current density (0.2 – 0.55 A/cm2). Results show that the SOFC and ICE operate as thermally independent topping and bottoming cycles, achieving peak efficiency of 62% under optimized conditions.

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Kalungi, Paul [West Virginia University (WVU)], Colon-Rodriguez, Jose [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory], Harun, Nor [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory], Zhou, Nana [NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory], Tucker, David [NETL] (ORCID:0000000322144577), Sabolsky, Edward [West Virginia University (WVU)] (ORCID:0000000201978030). 2025-09-28. System Analysis of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) - Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Hybrid Cycle. https://doi.org/10.2172/3017385

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