Electrochemical And Gas-turbine Laboratory for Energy (EAGLE Lab) Update

by Ethan Pesterfield, PhD Student, Tennessee Tech University, ecpesterfi42@tntech.edu

Commercial aviation currently accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon emissions, a share that is expected to increase as air travel continues to grow. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell–Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid systems offer a promising alternative propulsion technology for reducing aviation emissions through increased energy-conversion efficiency. Computational studies have predicted overall system efficiencies approaching 70%, potentially reducing fuel consumption and operating costs for commercial aviation. However, experimental validation under simulated flight-relevant conditions is necessary before SOFC-GT systems can be considered for aircraft applications. 

This work presents the development and commissioning of the Electrochemical And Gas-turbine Laboratory for Energy (EAGLE Lab), a demonstration-scale facility designed to investigate fuel cell–gas turbine hybrid systems by coupling a SOFC bundle with a micro gas turbine. The current status of the facility, recent updates, and planned future capabilities will be presented. Experimental data generated by the EAGLE Lab will support the refinement and validation of computational models, evaluation of system-level control strategies, and characterization of overall hybrid-system performance under representative operating conditions.