Abstract
The paper presents a combined system to be operated in ship power plants. The system consists of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a steam turbine system which utilizes the energy transported with the exhaust gas leaving the fuel cell. The analyzed variant of the combined cycle includes a SOFC and a steam turbine with a single-pressure waste heat boiler. The calculations are performed for two types of SOFC, tubular and planar, each of power output of 18 MW. The assumptions and limits used in the calculations are also presented. The energy optimization of the entire combined ship power plant is carried out, only from a thermodynamic view point. Technical and economic aspects are not taken into consideration. It is found that a high overall efficiency approaching 60% may be achieved with an optimum configuration using SOFC system. The combined system would also reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and improve the total system efficiency.