Performance analysis of a metal-supported intermediate-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell

Hydrogen as an energy carrier is critical for building a zero-carbon emission society. Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is a feasible technology for hydrogen production with a high efficiency. Currently, the durability of SOEC systems still needs to be improved and technical issues need to be overcome. Reducing the working temperature is helpful for the lifetime. A good cell design to avoid delamination is also very important. In this study, the performance of a metal-supported intermediate-temperature SOEC is estimated using gadolinium doped ceria Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O_2-δ (GDC) as the main electrolyte. First, a mathematical model is setup for the metal-supported SOEC. The effects of the porosity and tortuosity of the electrodes are analyzed. Subsequently, the influences of the working temperature, pressure, and steam concentration are estimated. Finally, the partial oxygen pressure inside the multi-layer electrolyte is determined and the risk of delamination is discussed. The results indicate that increasing the operation temperature can decrease the activation, concentration, and ohmic overpotentials simultaneously while increasing the pressure also can enhance the performance. Compared with the conventional design of Ceres Power, the new design using 10Sc1CeSZ as the barrier layer can increase the partial oxygen pressure of the GDC layer close to the cathode such that decomposition of GDC is avoided. Meanwhile, the partial oxygen pressure inside the multi-layer electrolyte close to the anode declines and the risk of delamination is reduced. Hence, the new design of the SOEC is beneficial for the durability of metal-supported SOEC.