Material development and system analysis for protonic ceramic fuel cells and electrolysers  

Chung-Jen Tseng   

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan

Center for Energy Research, National Central University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan 

ABSTRACT 

Hydrogen energy is one of the most promising renewable energy technologies for that it covers both energy production and energy storage. In this respect, the protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) are an emerging and competitive technology that converts chemical energy and electricity. PCECs based on mixed oxide ion, protonic and electronic conducting oxides are promising alternatives to Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells (SOECs) for future energy applications such as water electrolysis and intermediate temperature fuel cells. Our group has been working on the electrolyte and electrode materials development for several years. Mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) and triple-conducting oxide (TCO) have been used to enhance electrode performance. In addition, several inter-layer designs have been investigated for the reduction of both ohmic and polarization resistances, and thus boosting the cell performance. Some examples will be discussed.  

In addition to the material and cell development, we have started to look into system design and analysis recently. The operation temperature for PCEC is in the range of 400-700 °C so that careful thermal management is usually required. Very often, a PCEC is hybrid with other energy conversion devices, such as low-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) or micro gas turbine to increase overall energy conversion efficiency. A few examples of hybrid system designs will be discussed.