IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v390y2025ics0306261925005185.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

High performance ammonia-fueled SOFC hybrid system for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation applications

Author

Listed:
  • Ashar, Akhil
  • Wehrle, Lukas
  • Deutschmann, Olaf
  • Braun, Robert J.

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are being targeted as an attractive power generation technology that can potentially operate on ammonia without the need for any pre-reforming enabling direct conversion of ammonia to power. In this work, an ammonia-based SOFC-Gas turbine (GT) system concept is proposed and evaluated for the mobility sector using multi-scale modeling tools. The model integrates a three-dimensional multiscale SOFC stack simulation with balance-of-plant component modeling to estimate system-wide performance. The industrial scale stack simulation is based on a high power-density gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte-based cell architecture and also includes a microkinetic mechanism to evaluate ammonia decomposition. System efficiency, overall pressure ratio, electrochemical utilization and turbine inlet temperature are evaluated and analyzed through carefully designed parametric trade studies. Transportation relevant performance metrics are evaluated for the system on both volumetric and gravimetric basis. Normalized fuel storage volumes, system specific power and specific energy are defined and estimated for the proposed system concept. The analysis suggests that fuel storage volumes for ammonia are higher than contemporary fossil fuels but comparable to alternative fuels such as CNG and hydrogen for heavy-duty transportation. Model-predicted performance of the proposed hybrid system estimates efficiencies over 60 % for pressurized operation, specific power of nearly 0.50 kW kg−1 and a specific energy of over 2.5 kWh kg−1.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashar, Akhil & Wehrle, Lukas & Deutschmann, Olaf & Braun, Robert J., 2025. "High performance ammonia-fueled SOFC hybrid system for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:390:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925005185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125788
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925005185
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125788?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Yuqing & Wehrle, Lukas & Banerjee, Aayan & Shi, Yixiang & Deutschmann, Olaf, 2021. "Analysis of a biogas-fed SOFC CHP system based on multi-scale hierarchical modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 78-87.
    2. Azizi, Mohammad Ali & Brouwer, Jacob, 2018. "Progress in solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid power systems: System design and analysis, transient operation, controls and optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 237-289.
    3. Jia, Junxi & Li, Qiang & Luo, Ming & Wei, Liming & Abudula, Abuliti, 2011. "Effects of gas recycle on performance of solid oxide fuel cell power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 1068-1075.
    4. Wehrle, Lukas & Ashar, Akhil & Deutschmann, Olaf & Braun, Robert J., 2024. "Evaluating high power density, direct-ammonia SOFC stacks for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 372(C).
    5. Joshua A. Wilson & Yudong Wang & John Carroll & Jonathan Raush & Gene Arkenberg & Emir Dogdibegovic & Scott Swartz & David Daggett & Subhash Singhal & Xiao-Dong Zhou, 2022. "Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine Model Development for Electric Aviation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Saebea, Dang & Authayanun, Suthida & Patcharavorachot, Yaneeporn & Arpornwichanop, Amornchai, 2016. "Effect of anode–cathode exhaust gas recirculation on energy recuperation in a solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid power system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 218-232.
    7. Campion, Nicolas & Nami, Hossein & Swisher, Philip R. & Vang Hendriksen, Peter & Münster, Marie, 2023. "Techno-economic assessment of green ammonia production with different wind and solar potentials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Reznicek, Evan P. & Braun, Robert J., 2020. "Reversible solid oxide cell systems for integration with natural gas pipeline and carbon capture infrastructure for grid energy management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    9. Fan, Liyuan & Li, Chao'en & van Biert, Lindert & Zhou, Shou-Han & Tabish, Asif Nadeem & Mokhov, Anatoli & Aravind, Purushothaman Vellayani & Cai, Weiwei, 2022. "Advances on methane reforming in solid oxide fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Quach, Thai-Quyen & Giap, Van-Tien & Keun Lee, Dong & Pineda Israel, Torres & Young Ahn, Kook, 2022. "High-efficiency ammonia-fed solid oxide fuel cell systems for distributed power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    11. Wehrle, Lukas & Schmider, Daniel & Dailly, Julian & Banerjee, Aayan & Deutschmann, Olaf, 2022. "Benchmarking solid oxide electrolysis cell-stacks for industrial Power-to-Methane systems via hierarchical multi-scale modelling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    12. Linda Barelli & Gianni Bidini & Giovanni Cinti, 2020. "Operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Power System with Ammonia as a Fuel: Experimental Test and System Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    13. Buonomano, Annamaria & Calise, Francesco & d’Accadia, Massimo Dentice & Palombo, Adolfo & Vicidomini, Maria, 2015. "Hybrid solid oxide fuel cells–gas turbine systems for combined heat and power: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 32-85.
    14. Ma, Shuai & Lin, Meng & Lin, Tzu-En & Lan, Tian & Liao, Xun & Maréchal, François & Van herle, Jan & Yang, Yongping & Dong, Changqing & Wang, Ligang, 2021. "Fuel cell-battery hybrid systems for mobility and off-grid applications: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    15. Collins, Jeffrey M. & McLarty, Dustin, 2020. "All-electric commercial aviation with solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine-battery hybrids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    16. Banerjee, A. & Wang, Y. & Diercks, J. & Deutschmann, O., 2018. "Hierarchical modeling of solid oxide cells and stacks producing syngas via H2O/CO2 Co-electrolysis for industrial applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 996-1013.
    17. Chehrmonavari, Hamed & Kakaee, Amirhasan & Hosseini, Seyed Ehsan & Desideri, Umberto & Tsatsaronis, George & Floerchinger, Gus & Braun, Robert & Paykani, Amin, 2023. "Hybridizing solid oxide fuel cells with internal combustion engines for power and propulsion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    18. Muhammad Aziz & Agung Tri Wijayanta & Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto, 2020. "Ammonia as Effective Hydrogen Storage: A Review on Production, Storage and Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nikiforakis, Ioannis & Mamalis, Sotirios & Assanis, Dimitris, 2025. "Understanding Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Hybridization: A Critical Review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PC).
    2. Chehrmonavari, Hamed & Kakaee, Amirhasan & Hosseini, Seyed Ehsan & Desideri, Umberto & Tsatsaronis, George & Floerchinger, Gus & Braun, Robert & Paykani, Amin, 2023. "Hybridizing solid oxide fuel cells with internal combustion engines for power and propulsion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    3. Petronilla Fragiacomo & Francesco Piraino & Matteo Genovese & Orlando Corigliano & Giuseppe De Lorenzo, 2023. "Experimental Activities on a Hydrogen-Powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System and Guidelines for Its Implementation in Aviation and Maritime Sectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-25, July.
    4. Iliya Krastev Iliev & Antonina Andreevna Filimonova & Andrey Alexandrovich Chichirov & Natalia Dmitrievna Chichirova & Alexander Vadimovich Pechenkin & Artem Sergeevich Vinogradov, 2023. "Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Combined Heat and Power Systems with SOFCs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Huang, Yu & Turan, Ali, 2022. "Flexible power generation based on solid oxide fuel cell and twin-shaft free turbine engine: Mechanical equilibrium running and design analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    6. Wang, Xusheng & Lv, Xiaojing & Weng, Yiwu, 2020. "Performance analysis of a biogas-fueled SOFC/GT hybrid system integrated with anode-combustor exhaust gas recirculation loops," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    7. Nadaleti, Willian Cézar & Cardozo, Emanuélle & Bittencourt Machado, Jones & Maximilla Pereira, Peterson & Costa dos Santos, Maele & Gomes de Souza, Eduarda & Haertel, Paula & Kunde Correa, Erico & Vie, 2023. "Hydrogen and electricity potential generation from rice husks and persiculture biomass in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    8. Wehrle, Lukas & Ashar, Akhil & Deutschmann, Olaf & Braun, Robert J., 2024. "Evaluating high power density, direct-ammonia SOFC stacks for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 372(C).
    9. Ji, Zhixing & Qin, Jiang & Cheng, Kunlin & Liu, He & Zhang, Silong & Dong, Peng, 2019. "Performance evaluation of a turbojet engine integrated with interstage turbine burner and solid oxide fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 702-711.
    10. Dehghan, Ali Reza & Fanaei, Mohammad Ali & Panahi, Mehdi, 2022. "Economic plantwide control of a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell - gas turbine system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    11. Mei, Shuxue & Lu, Xiaorui & Zhu, Yu & Wang, Shixue, 2021. "Thermodynamic assessment of a system configuration strategy for a cogeneration system combining SOFC, thermoelectric generator, and absorption heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    12. Shayan, E. & Zare, V. & Mirzaee, I., 2019. "On the use of different gasification agents in a biomass fueled SOFC by integrated gasifier: A comparative exergo-economic evaluation and optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1126-1138.
    13. Chitgar, Nazanin & Karami, Pooria & Hemmati, Arman & Sadrzadeh, Mohtada, 2025. "A multi-carrier energy system for electricity, desalinated water, and hydrogen production: Conceptual design and techno-economic optimization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    14. Qu, Jinbo & Feng, Yongming & Zhu, Yuanqing & Ge, Kun & Chan, Siew Hwa & Miao, Bin, 2025. "Ammonia-fed solid oxide fuel cell-polygen system: Techno-economic analysis and optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    15. Ji, Zhixing & Qin, Jiang & Cheng, Kunlin & Guo, Fafu & Zhang, Silong & Dong, Peng, 2019. "Thermodynamics analysis of a turbojet engine integrated with a fuel cell and steam injection for high-speed flight," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 190-201.
    16. Habibollahzade, Ali & Gholamian, Ehsan & Behzadi, Amirmohammad, 2019. "Multi-objective optimization and comparative performance analysis of hybrid biomass-based solid oxide fuel cell/solid oxide electrolyzer cell/gas turbine using different gasification agents," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 985-1002.
    17. Wang, Xusheng & Lv, Xiaojing & Mi, Xicong & Spataru, Catalina & Weng, Yiwu, 2022. "Coordinated control approach for load following operation of SOFC-GT hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    18. Cai, Weiqiang & Zhou, Ruidong & Wang, Chenxia & Xie, Chao & Xiao, Liusheng & Zhang, Zhonggang & Yang, Chao & Yuan, Jinliang, 2025. "On characteristics and research development of coupled fuel cell stack performance and stress," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    19. Qu, Jinbo & Feng, Yongming & Wu, Binyang & Zhu, Yuanqing & Wang, Jiaqi, 2024. "Understanding the thermodynamic behaviors of integrated system including solid oxide fuel cell and Carnot battery based on finite time thermodynamics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 372(C).
    20. Ji, Zhixing & Rokni, Marvin Mikael & Qin, Jiang & Zhang, Silong & Dong, Peng, 2021. "Performance and size optimization of the turbine-less engine integrated solid oxide fuel cells on unmanned aerial vehicles with long endurance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:390:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925005185. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.