Project description
A solution for strategic hydrogen production and storage
The energy transition currently underway is about shifting from fossil-based energy to a clean, environmentally friendly alternative. Hydrogen-based power (produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen) seems very promising. Unfortunately, current processes of solid oxide cell development based on two devices – electrolysers and fuel cells – hinder the commercialisation of hydrogen-based energy due to their high cost and energy consumption. The EU-funded FleXelL project will address this issue by introducing a reversible solid oxide cell. The project will develop a highly efficient energy converter with ceramic reactors that can be reversed into an electrolyser upon demand. Converting liquid and gaseous fuels into energy will also transform steam or electricity into hydrogen to store surplus renewable energy.
Objective
The flexible cell project (FleXelL) aims at developing a proof of concept for a highly efficient energy converter based on ceramic reactors that can be reversed into an electrolyser whenever needed. We will be developing a device capable of converting liquid and gaseous fuels such as ethanol, methane or natural gas into energy, but also, steam and electricity into hydrogen for strategic reserve purposes or simply for renewable energy surplus storage.
For this purpose, we here propose a knowledge transfer scheme between Dr Sarruf and the Centre for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Research (CFCHR) at the University of Birmingham (UoB), herein represented by Prof Robert Steinberger-Wilckens. We build on UoB’s ceramic processing techniques, materials characterisation capacity, project management capabilities, teaching expertise, communications and leadership skills, and Dr Sarruf’s knowledge in materials development for fuel flexibility conversion within solid oxide cells (SOCs).
Dr Sarruf, under Prof. Steinberger-Wilckens’ supervision, will develop and optimise an anode-supported reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC) capable of operating directly with primary fuels, as aforementioned, and electrolysing water to produce hydrogen. The reproducibility of the cells’ manufacturing process as well as the performance will be developed aiming at rousing industrial interest via the development of a product’s business plan.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineering
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gas
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryalcohols
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compounds
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom