Control System Design of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Balance of Plant in Hybrid Aircraft Propulsion System

Abstract

Integrating Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) with Gas Turbines (GTs) offers a promising route toward high-efficiency, zero-emission aircraft propulsion. However, the strong coupling between the SOFC stack and GT introduces complex nonlinear dynamics and strict operational constraints on temperature, fuel utilization, and pressure differentials. This paper presents a multi-loop control architecture for the SOFC stack to ensure safe and efficient operation within a hybrid propulsion system. The proposed controller coordinates power, fuel utilization, and temperature regulation while maintaining limits on pressure difference and thermal gradients. Simulation studies in Simulink using an integrated SOFC model demonstrate effective power tracking, stable operation, and robust thermal management under dynamic conditions.