Development of Solid Oxide Electrolysis and Reversible Solid Oxide Cell and Stack Technologies at Nexceris, LLC

Abstract

Over the past several years, Nexceris has been developing high performance Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells “SOEC” and stacks leveraging materials, electrode, and interlayer development along with Nexceris’ high power-density stack design. Observed performance and durability improvements demonstrated on both single cells and short stacks will be addressed. Stack intent cells with downselected electrode sets were scaled to both 42 and 96 cm2 active area cells. These were implemented into short-stacks and operated continuously in SOEC mode at ~1.3 V for ≥ 500 hours with <5%/kh degradation. The resulting subscale stack demonstrations provided promising baseline performance and a durability platform for future cell and stack development. RSOC tests were recently initiated with dynamic operation. Nexceris’ ChromLok coatings for bipolar plates were also integrated to stacks to enhance durability. This paper will provide a status update on Nexceris’ SOEC technology development.

Water Electrolysis toward Elevated Temperature: Advances, Challenges and Frontiers

“…Structure of a planar SOEC stack designed and produced by Nexceris (Reproduced with permission from ref , Copyright 2021 The Electrochemical Society).…”

“…To realize an improved hydrogen production rate, many single SOECs are normally assembled and connected to form stacks, which generally adopt a planar configuration. As shown in Figure , the structure of a planar SOEC stack designed and produced by Nexceris includes numerous repeating units (RUs) composed of electrolysis cells, current collectors, seal layers and interconnects. In addition to its inherent electrolysis properties, the performance of the SOEC stack was also greatly determined by other components .…”