New life cycle inventories for end-of-life solid oxide cells based on novel recycling processes for critical solid oxide cell materials

The study presents novel recycling processes for solid oxide cells as well as life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle inventory (LCI) analyses. A novel recovery process for the lanthanum-based materials lanthanum oxide and cobalt oxide from the End-of-Life recycling of SOC oxygen electrodes is described and evaluated. In addition, the recovery of yttria-stabilised zirconia and nickel oxide from end-of-life SOC fuel electrodes is presented. Both processes were analysed and a LCI is created for each recycling route. An environmental impact assessment is performed for each recovered material, hotspots and sub-processes are discussed and the results are presented in absolute and relative environmental impact indicator values. The results show that the amount and origin of electricity is one of the most important hotspots in the recycling processes alongside material recovery. • Recycling processes for solid oxide cells developed at laboratory scale. • Recovery process for lanthanum oxide and cobalt oxide from oxygen electrode. • Recovery process for yttria-stabilised zirconia and nickel oxide from hydrogen electrode. • Novel life cycle inventories (LCI) for recovered materials. • Use of renewable electricity significantly reduces environmental impacts of SOC recycling processes.