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Economic and environmental impact assessments of hybridized aircraft engines with hydrogen and other fuels

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2022
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Publication Information
Authors Shaimaa Seyam; Ibrahim Dincer; Martin Agelin-Chaab
Keywords Alternative fuels; Environmental impact; Exergoeconomic analysis; Exergy analysis; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Turbofan
Journal International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 47
Issue 22
Pages 11669-11685
publication.type International
Paper Link Open Link
Supplementary Materials Not Available
Abstract
Hybridized engines have become the focus of research nowadays in order to update the existing engines in different transportation sectors. This paper presents a hybridized aircraft engine consisting of a molten carbonate fuel cell system and a commercial turbofan system. The MCFC units are connected to a steam reforming and a water gas shift system. Also, five clean fuels are selected, such as dimethyl ether, hydrogen, ethanol, methane, and methanol, which are combined with different mass ratios to form five different fuel blends. The hybridized aircraft is investigated using three approaches: exergy analysis, exergoeconomic analysis, and exergoenvironmental analysis. It is found that the proposed engine has an average exergetic efficiency of 88% and an average exergy destruction ratio of 12%. The specific exergetic cost of electricity of the engine has an average value of 710 $/GJ for the high-pressure turbine and 230$/GJ for the intermediate and low-pressure turbines, as well as 50 $/GJ for the MCFC. The average specific exergoenvironmental impact of electricity is 14 mPt/MJ for turbines and 4 mPt/MJ for the MCFC. In addition, a blend of ethanol and hydrogen appears to be a viable option economically and environmentally.