Korean researchers build 8 kW solid oxide electrolysis cell that can produce 5.7 kg of hydrogen per day

The Korea Institute of Energy Research has developed a solid oxide electrolysis cell stack that uses a special kind of separator plate to ensure proper flow of hydrogen and oxigen after water splitting. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Bumhan Industries are now cooperating with the research center to improve relevant manufacturing process.

April 26, 2024 Emiliano Bellini

The solid oxide dlectrolysis cell

Image: KIER

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) announced a group of its scientists developed an 8 kW solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) that can reportedly produce more than 5 kg of hydrogen per day.

SOEC systems usually rely on a solid oxide, or ceramic, to produce hydrogen and oxygen. They use water supplied at the cathode to separate hydrogen from water in an external separation unit, with the hydroxide ions flowing through an aqueous electrolyte to the anode to generate oxygen.

“The SOEC technology, which electrolyzes high-temperature steam into hydrogen and oxygen, is considered a high-efficiency hydrogen production technology that can reduce electricity consumption by more than 25% compared to other electrolysis methods when applied to places with a large demand for hydrogen and/or a large steam supply, such as nuclear power plants, steel mills, petrochemical plants, and ammonia manufacturing plants,” the researchers stated.

They built the SOEC stack by layering ceramic cells, separator plates, and sealing materials. Its special feature is the separator plate, for which the academics adopted a press forming method that reportedly reduces production costs and time. This technique was used to create channels that enable a proper flow of hydrogen and oxygen in the system.

“While the existing process could produce a maximum of 100 separator plates per day, using the press forming method allows for the production of more than 1,000 plates per day, thus improving both the manufacturing cost and time,” they explained.

Through a series of tests, the system was found to provide stable operation for 2,500 h and to supply 5.7 kg of hydrogen per day.

The research institute said it is now cooperating with South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electro-Mechanics and fuel cell developer Bumhan Industries to improve the proposed manufacturing process.

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