The potential of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Gas Turbine (SOFC/GT) hybrid systems for fuel flexibility makes this technology greatly attractive for system hybridization with various fuel processing units in advanced power generation systems and/or polygeneration plants. Such hybrid technologies open up the possibility and opportunities for improvement of system reliabilities and operabilities. However, SOFC/GT hybrid systems have not yet reached their full potential in term of capitalizing on the synergistic benefits of fuel cell and gas turbine cycles. Integrating fuel cells with gas turbine and other components for transient operations increases the risk for exposure to rapid and significant changes in process dynamics and performance, which are primarily associated with fuel cell thermal management and compressor surge. This can lead to severe fuel cell failure, shaft overspeed, and gas turbine damage. Sufficient dynamic control architectures should be made to mitigate undesirable dynamic behaviours and/or system constraint violations before this technology can be commercialized. But, adequate understanding about dynamic coupling interactions between system components in the hybrid configuration is essential. Considering this critical need for system identification of SOFC/GT hybrid in fuel flexible systems, this thesis investigates the dynamic performance of SOFC/GT hybrid technology in response to fuel composition changes. Hardware-based simulations, which combined actual equipment of direct-fired recuperated gas turbine system and simulated fuel cell subsystem, are used to experimentally investigate the impacts of fuel composition changes on the SOFC/GT hybrid system, reducing potentially large inaccuracies in the dynamic study. The impacts of fuel composition in a closed loop operation using turbine speed control were first studied for the purpose of simplicity. Quantification of safe operating conditions for dynamic operations associated with carbon deposition and compressor stall and surge was done prior to the execution of experimentation. With closed loop tests, the dynamic performance of SOFC/GT hybrid technology due to a transition in gas composition could be uniquely characterized, eliminating the interactive effects of other process variables and disturbances. However, for an extensive system analysis, open loop tests (without turbine speed control) were also conducted such that potential coupling impacts exhibited by the SOFC/GT hybrid during fuel transients could be explored. Detailed characterization of SOFC/GT dynamic performance was performed to identify the interrelationship of each fuel cell variable in response to fuel composition dynamics and their contributions to operability of the system. As a result of lowering LHV content in the fuel feed, which involved a transition from coal-derived syngas to humidified methane composition in the SOFC anode, the system demonstrated a dramatic transient increase in fuel cell thermal effluent with a time scale of seconds, resulting from the conversion of fuel cell thermal energy storage into chemical energy. This transient was highly associated with the dynamics of solid and gas temperatures, heat flux, heat generation in the fuel cell due to perturbations in methane reforming, water-gas shifting, and electrochemical hydrogen oxidation. In turn, the dramatic changes in fuel cell thermal effluent resulting from the anode composition changes drove the turbine transients that caused significant cathode airflow fluctuations. This study revealed that the cathode air mass flow change was a major linking event during fuel composition changes in the SOFC/GT hybrid system. Both transients in cathode air mass flow and anode composition significantly affected the hybrid system performance. Due to significant coupling between fuel composition transitions and cathode air mass flow changes, thermal management of SOFC/GT hybrid systems might be challenging. Yet, it was suggested that modulating cathode air flow offered promise for effective dynamic control of SOFC/GT hybrid systems with fuel flexibility. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Neste trabalho estuda-se o comportamento de laminados fibra-metal em regime de impacto, a partir de uma abordagem teórica, numérica e experimental. Os materiais estudados consistem em camadas finas intercaladas de alumínio 2024-T4 e de um novo material termoplástico de polipropileno (PP) de alta resistência mecânica. Eventos de impacto de baixa e alta velocidade contra placas destes laminados foram realizados a partir de um martelo de impacto e de um canhão pneumático, respectivamente. Nestes experimentos buscou-se identificar as condições limite de ruptura e perfuração das amostras, assim como parâmetros de comportamento do material. O laminado fibra metal de PP (ou TFML) e seus constituintes foram caracterizados a taxas de deformação entre 10-4 / s e 102 / s, utilizando-se máquinas de ensaio universal comerciais e um dispositivo desenvolvido especificamente para este estudo, capaz de caracterizar materiais em taxas intermediárias de deformação. Os modelos teóricos de Jones e Reid-Wen foram adaptados para utilização com TFMLs, sendo capazes de identificar o comportamento do material em regime de baixa e alta velocidade de impacto, respectivamente. Um modelo numérico do TFML em regime de impacto foi desenvolvido utilizando o programa comercial LSDyna. Resultados experimentais e teóricos foram confrontados com esse, apresentado boa correlação na predição do limiar de falha e limite balístico do material. Uma vez que o comportamento do TFML ao impacto foi modelado, buscou-se identificar o efeito da distribuição de camadas e composição de constituintes no comportamento do material ao impacto. Estudos também foram conduzidos com o intuito de identificar a influência da taxa de deformação, geometria do indentador e localização do impacto no comportamento dos laminados. Por fim, uma configuração de TFML foi proposta visando melhoria de seu desempenho ao impacto. / In this work, the behaviour of fibre-metal laminates under impact loading is studied by using theoretical, numerical and experimental approaches. The material is a combination of thin aluminium 2024-T3 layers and an innovative high strength thermoplastic polypropylene material. Low and high velocity impact events were performed using a falling weight machine and a gas-gun projectile launcher, respectively. The thermoplastic fibre-metal laminates (or TFML) and its constituents were mechanically characterized in the range of strain rates between 10-4 / s and 102 / s , using commercial universal testing machines and a specifically designed rig for tensile tests at intermediate strain rates. The Jones and Reid-Wen theoretical models were adapted to be used with TFML plates. A finite element model of the TFML under impact events was developed using LS-Dyna software. The numerical model revalled results that were compared with the theoretical models and the experimental data, providing reasonably similar results. Once the TFML impact behaviour was identified and modelled, the effect of the layers distribution and constituent composition on the TFML impact response was studied. Studies of the strain rate effect, identor geometry and the impact location were also performed. Finally, a TFML configuration was suggested in order to improve the TFML impact performance.

Neste trabalho estuda-se o comportamento de laminados fibra-metal em regime de impacto, a partir de uma abordagem teórica, numérica e experimental. Os materiais estudados consistem em camadas finas intercaladas de alumínio 2024-T4 e de um novo material termoplástico de polipropileno (PP) de alta resistência mecânica. Eventos de impacto de baixa e alta velocidade contra placas destes laminados foram realizados a partir de um martelo de impacto e de um canhão pneumático, respectivamente. Nestes experimentos buscou-se identificar as condições limite de ruptura e perfuração das amostras, assim como parâmetros de comportamento do material. O laminado fibra metal de PP (ou TFML) e seus constituintes foram caracterizados a taxas de deformação entre 10-4 / s e 102 / s, utilizando-se máquinas de ensaio universal comerciais e um dispositivo desenvolvido especificamente para este estudo, capaz de caracterizar materiais em taxas intermediárias de deformação. Os modelos teóricos de Jones e Reid-Wen foram adaptados para utilização com TFMLs, sendo capazes de identificar o comportamento do material em regime de baixa e alta velocidade de impacto, respectivamente. Um modelo numérico do TFML em regime de impacto foi desenvolvido utilizando o programa comercial LSDyna. Resultados experimentais e teóricos foram confrontados com esse, apresentado boa correlação na predição do limiar de falha e limite balístico do material. Uma vez que o comportamento do TFML ao impacto foi modelado, buscou-se identificar o efeito da distribuição de camadas e composição de constituintes no comportamento do material ao impacto. Estudos também foram conduzidos com o intuito de identificar a influência da taxa de deformação, geometria do indentador e localização do impacto no comportamento dos laminados. Por fim, uma configuração de TFML foi proposta visando melhoria de seu desempenho ao impacto. / In this work, the behaviour of fibre-metal laminates under impact loading is studied by using theoretical, numerical and experimental approaches. The material is a combination of thin aluminium 2024-T3 layers and an innovative high strength thermoplastic polypropylene material. Low and high velocity impact events were performed using a falling weight machine and a gas-gun projectile launcher, respectively. The thermoplastic fibre-metal laminates (or TFML) and its constituents were mechanically characterized in the range of strain rates between 10-4 / s and 102 / s , using commercial universal testing machines and a specifically designed rig for tensile tests at intermediate strain rates. The Jones and Reid-Wen theoretical models were adapted to be used with TFML plates. A finite element model of the TFML under impact events was developed using LS-Dyna software. The numerical model revalled results that were compared with the theoretical models and the experimental data, providing reasonably similar results. Once the TFML impact behaviour was identified and modelled, the effect of the layers distribution and constituent composition on the TFML impact response was studied. Studies of the strain rate effect, identor geometry and the impact location were also performed. Finally, a TFML configuration was suggested in order to improve the TFML impact performance.

Les composants de puissance grand gap présentent d'ores et déjà des caractéristiques statiques et dynamiques supérieures à leurs homologues en silicium. Mais ces composants d'un nouvel ordre s'accompagnent de différences susceptibles de modifier le fonctionnement de la cellule de commutation. Les travaux qui furent menés au cours de cette thèse se sont intéressés aux composants grand gap et à leur commande au sein d'un convertisseur de puissance synchrone robuste, haut rendement et haute densité de puissance. En particulier deux points critiques ont été identifiés et étudiés. Le premier est la grande sensibilité des composants grand gap aux composants parasites. Le second est l'absence de diode parasite interne entre le drain et la source de nombreux transistors grand gap. Pour répondre aux exigences de ces nouveaux composants et en tirer le meilleur profit, nous proposons des solutions innovantes, robustes, efficaces et directement intégrables aux circuits de commande. Des circuits de commande entièrement intégrés ont ainsi été conçus spécifiquement pour les composants grand gap. Ceux-ci permettent entre autres le contrôle précis des formes de commutation par l'adaptation de l'impédance de grille, et l'amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique et de la robustesse d'un convertisseur de puissance à base de composants grand sans diodes par une gestion dynamique et locale de temps morts très courts. / Wide band gap devices already demonstrate static and dynamic performances better than silicon transistors. Compared to conventional silicon devices these new wide band gap transistors have some different characteristics that may affect power converter operations. The work presented in this PhD manuscript deals with a specific gate drive circuit for a robust, high power density and high efficiency wide band gap devices-based power converter. Two critical points have been especially studied. The first point is the higher sensitivity of wide band gap transistors to parasitic components. The second point is the lack of parasitic body diode between drain and source of HEMT GaN and JFET SiC. In order to drive these new power devices in the best way we propose innovative, robust and efficient solutions. Fully integrated gate drive circuits have been specifically developed for wide band gap devices. An adaptive output impedance gate driver provides an accurate control of wide band gap device switching waveforms directly on its gate side. Another gate drive circuit improves efficiency and reliability of diode-less wide band gap devices-based power converters thanks to an auto-adaptive and local dead-time management.

Characterizing  power  switches  is  an  indispensable  step  when  designing  a  converter.  This  thesisinvestigates ways to achieve static and dynamic characterization of semiconductors for high power applications such as power grid or train traction. The static characterization has been tested with a Keysight B1506A device analyzer. The problems encountered have been analyzed and corrected.Then the design of a high current switching test bench for dynamic characterization is explained. The full-bridge  configuration  allows  controlled  and  spontaneous  commutations  so  the  bench  can measure hard and soft switching. The voltage can be up to 10 kV and the current up to 3 kA during the commutation. The choice of the probes is justified. The issues of bandwidth, input impedance and common mode current are taken into account. Data are processed in order to interpolate theswitching loss in hard and soft switching. / Karaktärisering  av  halvledarbrytare  är  ett  viktigt  steg  när  man  utformar  en  omvandlare.  Dennaavhandling undersöker olika sätt att uppnå statisk och dynamisk karakterisering av halvledare för högeffekttillämpningar såsom elnät eller ellok. Statisk karaktäriseringen har utförts med en Keysight B1506A-enhetsanalysator. De problem som uppstått har analyserats och korrigerats.Utformningen    av    en    testbänk    för    dynamisk    karakterisering    förklaras.    Den    kompletta bryggkonfigurationen möjliggör kontrollerad och spontan kommutation med spänningar upp till 10 kV och  strömmar  upp till 3 kA så att  bänken kan mäta hård  och mjuk  växling.  Valet  av sonderna förklaras.   Frågorna   om   bandbredd,   ingångsimpedans   och   common-mode   ström   tas   med   iberäkningen. Data bearbetas för att interpolera kopplings förlusten i hård och mjuk växling.