Electrolysis is a key component in the Power-to-X value chain. A critical requirement for electrolysers is robustness under dynamic operation and flexibility for system integration. Solid oxide electrolysis technology is known for its high efficiency and independence from precious metal elements. Ensuring mechanical durability throughout years of dynamic operation remains, however, a challenge at the stack level.
Dynamic operation induces thermo-mechanical stresses due to mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion among stack components, increasing the risk of cracking and failure, especially in the sealants and adjacent components. Merit aims to understand and enhance the mechanical behaviour of sealings under dynamic operation, thereby improving the solid oxide electrolysis stack durability and enhancing the system integrability of the technology.