(Invited) Durability of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells Via Accelerated Stress Testing

In this work, we will present a systematic study of state-of-the-art SOEC cells for hydrogen production using Ni-YSZ and LSCF electrodes. SOEC cells were tested in a broad range of experimental conditions, while varying temperature, steam concentration, steam utilization, current, voltage, operating pressure, potential Cr and S contaminants as well as under dynamic operation. Accelerated stress testing was performed to map potential degradations in a shorter period of time and compare to testing under standard operating conditions. Following each test termination, extensive post-test characterization of Ni-YSZ and LSCF microstructures using SEM/EDS and TEM was performed to assess the extent of degradations, if new degradations were imposed, and to predict conditions where cell failure might occur.