Project description
Defining accelerated stress tests for longer-lasting solid oxide fuel cells and electrolysers
A solid oxide fuel cell is a fuelled battery that provides a clean and efficient way to generate power from fuel. Switching to electrolyser mode, it can generate hydrogen from steam and electricity. Accelerated stress tests deliberately stress the catalyst for a short period of time to assess the stability of new materials without having to use them in an operational fuel cell over a long-term period. The EU-funded AD ASTRA project aims to define accelerated stress testing protocols deduced from a systematic understanding of degradation mechanisms in aged components of solid oxide cell stacks operating in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. The focus will be on tackling fuel and oxygen electrode issues and interconnect contact losses.
Objective
AD ASTRA aims to define Accelerated Stress Testing (AST) protocols deduced from a systematic understanding of degradation mechanisms of aged components in solid oxide cell (SOC) stacks, operating in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. In particular, fuel and oxygen electrode issues and interconnect contact loss will be tackled.
The project will build upon relevant information harvested in FCH JU projects, as well as make use of many samples taken from stacks operated in the field for thousands of hours, supplied by leading European SOC manufacturers across the two application areas CHP and P2X (combined heat&power generators and power-to-commodity energy storage).
The approach to harnessing the intricate phenomena causing critical performance degradation will be based upon a methodical analysis of in-service performance data correlated with post-operation states, augmented by a dual-focus campaign targeting macroscopic stack testing procedures as well as specific component ageing tests. The probabilistic nature of degradation will be captured by slimming down deterministic simulation models through conception and integration of stochastic correlations between (nominal/accelerated) operating conditions and degradation effects, based on statistically significant data obtained from field-tests and purposely generated experiments. Stochastic interpretation will thus serve the physical description of dominant SOFC degradation mechanisms in CHP and P2X operation, but allowing rapid estimation of remaining useful stack life.
The combined results will be translated to validated test protocols that allow quantifying and predicting degradation in SOCs as a function of test aggravation, defining appropriate transfer functions between stress-accelerating and real-world conditions. The overall project approach will be formalized for adoption by the relevant standards-developing organisations.
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysis
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationcombined heat and power
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
00196 Roma
Italy