Design and simulation of submarine dual-mode SOFC-MGT hybrid power generation system

  Objectives   Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Micro Gas Turbine(SOFC-MGT) hybrid power generation system will help to improve the endurance and stealth of conventionally powered submarines. So in order to analyze the performance characteristics of this system in different operating modes,

  Methods   the fuel cell AIP system improved by Matlab/Simulink is combined with Micro Gas Turbine(MGT)to form a top-level cyclic hybrid power generation system in this paper. And the dual-mode is proposed according to the sailing state of the submarine. The simulation model of SOFC-MGT hybrid power generation system and exhaust treatment system is established to analyze the performance indicators under design conditions, as well as the influences of current, water-carbon ratio, CH₄ flow rate, air component and other factors on the system performance.

  Results   The simulation results verify the validity and feasibility of the model; in these two modes, the power generation efficiency is 59.48% and 61.61%, and the maximum power is 217 kW and 223 kW, where the system net power in the mode 2 is higher. The submarine dual-mode SOFC-MGT hybrid power system can maintain stable output power and high power generation efficiency under different working conditions of the submarine, achieving obviously better performance than other AIP systems.

  Conclusions   This study results can provide theoretical support for the application of SOFC-MGT hybrid power generation system to conventional submarines.