Advanced Solid Oxide Membrane for Hydrogen and Power Generation from In-Situ Resources

A highly efficient hydrogen utilization and generation technology plays a key role for planetary mission as it impacts the component and system size, weight, and energy consumption for ISRU applications. The technology targets sustainable, energy-efficient fuel production from planetary water and possible organic materials. Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) has been developing an advanced solid oxide membrane and cell structure that allows highly efficient H2 utilization and generation from planetary resources and compression at an intermediate temperature (500-700oC). Proof of concept testing of the advanced membrane/cell architecture indicated potential to be lightweight and presents several advantages over state of the art, including high gravimetric and volumetric power density, simplified solid oxide stack structure, rapid thermal cycle tolerance for fast start-up and shutdown, and more redox tolerant. Additionally, it is also capable of operating in fuel cell mode for power generation from in-situ resources with potentially high fuel utilization, expected to realize a high round trip efficiency (i.e., regenerative or reversible SOFC). The goal is to generate high-purity H2 via electrolysis at a low energy consumption, and to utilize H2 for power generation within a single component. This avoids the system complexity needed for dual function in a limited space. In this paper, we will present results from preliminary performance characterization of the lab-scale solid oxide membrane in both fuel cell and electrolysis mode. Performance evaluation under reversible cycle and thermal cycle conditions will also be presented.