About the project
The METALLICA project will develop a clean technology based on novel alloy supported proton conducting electrolytes (PCEC) operating at 600°C for efficient use of heat and steam supplied by geothermal or solar plants. Proof-of-concept of co-electrolysis of steam and CO2 will also be emonstrated as a further pathway for integration of PCEC in industrial processes. The robust cells will be produced by a combined process developed at SINTEF and UiO making use of wet ceramic processing for producing alloy sustrates and side electrodes, and pulse laser deposition for low temperature deposition of dense cristalline electrolytes. In collaboration with international partners, the scalability of this process will be demonstrated in a two-step approach with firstly the production of button cells with non-optimized electrodes and secondly the realization of 6 x 6 cm2 cells with optimized components using a novel powerful PLD recently acquired at SINTEF. Testing of these cells will be carried out to guide materials, microstructures and architectures optimization, and to determine rate limiting steps as function of cell's operating parameters. This pioneering work will open new scientifical and technological pathways for sound management of renewable sources and deployment of protonics technology with innovative SMEs.
Objectives
The primary objective of the METALLICA project is to develop a robust steam electrolysis technology for H2 production based on novel alloy supported proton conducting electrolysers (PCEC) operating at 600°C for efficient use of heat and steam supplied by geothermal and solar plants. Proof-of-concept of CO2 and steam co-electrolysis will also be demonstrated for potential integration of PCEC in industrial processes.
The secondary objectives are:
- Implementation of scaleable manufacturing routes of alloy-supported PCEC
- Fabrication and testing of cells on 6 cm * 6 cm surface area
- Demonstrate low polarization resistance of cells by nano-engineering of electrodes and production of thin film electrolytes
- Identification of degradation mechanisms and rate limiting steps in components and cells
- Training of one post doc
- Organization of international workshops on steam electrolysers
- Strengthening collaboration with innovative SMEs and industry
Financing
The project is funded by Research Council of Norway under the ENERGIX programme.
Cooperation
The project lasts 3 years and is led by SINTEF in collaboration with UiO.