Experimental and Analytical Study of an Anode‐Supported Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 43; no. 12; pp. 2350 - 2358
• Main Authors: Mendoza, Rose Marie, Mora, Joy Marie, Cervera, Rinlee Butch, Chuang, Po-Ya Abel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frankfurt Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Anode effect; Electrolysis; High‐temperature steam electrolysis; Hydrogen production; Industrial applications; Solid oxide electrolyzer
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202000204

A 1‐D electrochemical model for a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is developed and validated using published experimental data. The model combines thermodynamics, kinetic, ohmic, and concentration overpotentials to predict cell performance. For the anode‐supported SOEC, good agreement is obtained between the model and experimental data, with ohmic loss being the major contributor to the cell's total overpotential. Both kinetic and concentration losses are less significant due to high‐temperature operation. Due to the dominating performance loss, reducing the anode thickness is effective in diminishing the cell potential. Overall, this simple 1‐D model can be employed as a design tool to evaluate component design and estimate system performance for industrial applications. An analytical electrochemical model for a high‐temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell is presented that incorporates multiphysics phenomena. The model is validated and found to be in agreement with published experimental data. This simple one‐dimensional model can be employed as a design tool to evaluate component design and estimate system performance for industrial applications.