Exploring Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Design for an Optimal Flow Distribution and Thermal Management

Abstract

Green hydrogen is widely considered as a reliable solution to provide flexibility to a renewable energy-based system, decarbonize hard-to-abate-sectors and achieve a net zero emissions scenario. In this sense, Solid Oxide Electrolyzers (SOE) are meant to play an important role for the production of green hydrogen. In order to fulfill high performance and durability requirements, SOE stack design needs to be carefully contemplated. For that purpose, the design of the interconnect plates is evaluated in this work. Simulations conclude that interconnector plate manifold is the most influential cell feature in terms of flow distribution and therefore, a simple modification in the number of inlets and outlets can improve flow distribution, conducting to normalized mass flows near to the unit and low pressure drop. Finally, by adjusting interconnect plate internal design, flow distribution is further improved and thermal gradients are reduced below the desirable limit of 10 K·cm-1.