Abstract: An indirect-heated gas turbine cycle is bottomed with a fuel cell cycle with the heated air discharged from the gas turbine being directly utilized at the cathode of the fuel cell for the electricity-producing electrochemical reaction occurring within the fuel cell. The hot cathode recycle gases provide a substantial portion of the heat required for the indirect heating of the compressed air used in the gas turbine cycle. A separate combustor provides the balance of the heat needed for the indirect heating of the compressed air used in the gas turbine cycle. Hot gases from the fuel cell are used in the combustor to reduce both the fuel requirements of the combustor and the NOx emissions therefrom. Residual heat remaining in the air-heating gases after completing the heating thereof is used in a steam turbine cycle or in an absorption refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: The restraint systems presently used with existing heat exchangers or recuperators have a thermal growth rate different than the thermal growth rate of the core of the recuperator. The present thermally balanced restraint system overcomes the problem of a different growth rates by utilizing tie rods which are individually made of a plurality of small diameter rods has a thermal growth rate very near that of the core of the heat exchanger. As the plates of the core thermally expand and contract in response to the heat from the engine exhaust, the plurality of small diameter rods also expand and contract at a rate very near that of the core.