Adaptive control of a fuel cell-microturbine hybrid power plant

Power producing systems containing a combination of high-temperature fuel cells and heat engines have the potential for very high efficiency in converting fossil fuel to AC electricity. Hybrid cycles are myriad and can include combinations of fuel cells with gas turbine engines, steam turbines, or even reciprocating engines The synergy realized by fuel cell/turbine hybrids derives primarily from using the rejected thermal energy and combustion of residual fuel from a fuel cell in driving the gas turbine. This leveraging of the thermal energy makes the high-temperature molten carbonate fuel cells ideal candidates for hybrid systems. Use of a recuperator contributes to thermal efficiency by transferring heat from the gas turbine exhaust to the fuel and air used in the system.