SOFCs for FLIGHT

PCI’s is proposing an advanced energy storage and power generator design for meeting aggressive specific-power and specific-energy targets required for all-electric propulsion of narrow-body commercial aircraft. Key drivers are an exceptionally power-dense solid oxide fuel cell operating with energy-dense carbon neutral liquid fuels and a hybridized system architecture that maximizes component efficiencies for ultra-high system efficiency. These advances are a potential game changer and could overcome acknowledged barriers to all-electric air propulsion and mobile power, revitalize US aerospace industry, and usher in solutions with low carbon and greenhouse gas footprint. PCI will validate compliance via component demonstration and develop a validated model for scale-up. It will also address performance constraints to conform with takeoff/climb/cruise requirements and allow examination of tradeoffs (weight vs. efficiency vs. complexity). Durability at aircraft operating conditions (e.g. start/stop cycles, startup, altitude, peak power) will be confirmed. Integration options will be matured, costs will be validated, and prototype evaluation in customer platforms will be accomplished with Tier-1 transition partners disclosed in the proposal. Manufacturing and cost viability, at application scales, will be determined. This effort builds on PCI’s experience in developing groundbreaking SOFC generators for mobile and space applications.