Highly compact and robust hollow fiber solid oxide cells for flexible power generation and gas production

The future clean energy deployment in our contemporary society needs the innovative use of emerging technologies in the coal industry, like the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) integrated with solid oxide cell technology for flexible electricity generation and chemical production. For this purpose, a cell design with a high volumetric power density and a compact size for gas production is an important consideration for cheaper and simpler integration. In this study, robust and compact hollow fiber solid oxide cells with an integrated electrolyte and cathode structure were designed. The peak power density achieved was up to 516 mW cm−2 at 850 °C, using hydrogen as the fuel and air as the oxidant. In the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) mode, the steam electrolysis can be carried out at high applied voltage, up to 2.0 V, and operated at 850 °C to achieve high electrolysis efficiencies. A stable hydrogen and oxygen production rate with the respective flux rates of 14.5 and 6.5 mL min−1 cm−2 are achieved. Successful development of strategies for the synthesis of robust hollow fiber solid oxide cells would be a great step moving forward towards the large scale commercial application in future advanced energy technologies.