Development of Long Duration Button Cell Test Stands and Testing Protocols

Abstract

Increasing the longevity of SOEC systems is a key impact for hydrogen production. Improving stack lifetime from 20,000 to 60,0000 hours results in a cost reduction of $.20 on the levelized cost of hydrogen. Long duration test stand development for button cells is a growing need to establish Accelerated Stress Testing, and long-duration testing benchmarks. Improving the reliability of test stands and long-term cell testing enables deeper investigations into long-term degradation behavior. Significant deviations between cell degradation mechanisms during the initial 500 hours of operation and the mechanisms after 500 hours exist. Establishing the mechanisms of long-duration degradation as opposed to initial break-in stability is necessary in order to achieve reliable systems that can operate for upwards of 80,000 hours.