High-Pressure Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) Dynamic Operation for Enhanced Power-to-X (P2X) Applications

The Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) plays a crucial role in meeting the high demand for Power-to-X (P2X) applications. However, challenges such as high degradation and thermal variations have hindered the scalability of SOEC technology. Moreover, to make hydrogen production feasible for real-world applications, operating at elevated pressure is preferred to lower capital expenses (CAPEX) and increase production capacity. This paper introduces a high-pressure vessel design tailored for SOEC, validated through open-circuit voltage (OCV), current-voltage (I/V) curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Additionally, a novel operational method named AC: DC is employed in the pressurized test, aimed at bolstering SOEC efficiency and prolonging its lifetime. The pressurized operation at 5 bar (absolute pressure of 6 bar) with AC: DC operation has been achieved, and the enhancement of charge transfer and mass transfer indicates the potential of performance improvement for SOEC under high-pressure condition. These innovations hold promise for substantially reducing costs related to the production of high-value green fuels and chemicals utilizing wind and solar power.