Advances in the development of thin-film cells for high temperature electrolysis

Abstract

An apparatus for the deposition of thin ZrO 7/Y 2O 3 electrolyte layers on porous support structures has been developed. These electrolytes can be used for advanced high-temperature water vapour electrolysis HTE-cells. The electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte were prepared by a simple spraying and sintering technique. Preliminary electrolysis experiments with single cells demonstrated the advantages of the thin-film technology in comparison with sintered electrolyte cells due to drastically reduced ohmic losses of the electrolyte. Therefore, thin-film cells have the potential to be operated with significantly increased current densities at the same operating temperature and electrolysis voltage. For the technical realization a tubular design of the HTE-cell was chosen, because this geometry allows a simple gas inlet system and a simple electrical series connection of the single cells (in order to assemble electrolysis units). Preliminary tests with such cells have been undertaken successfully.