Compared to AWE and PEM, the SOEC technology has a higher conversion efficiency due to favourable thermodynamics and kinetics at higher operating temperatures. Furthermore, SOEC can be integrated with a range of existing downstream industrial processes, thus enabling the generation of synthetic fuels, methanol, ammonia, and recycling of captured carbon dioxide.
SOEC technology operates at a high temperature, typically between 500 and 850°C. While promising, further insights are needed to achieve the technical and economic viability of its integration in existing processes for the fuel and chemical industries.
The project will investigate the upscaling potential of the SOEC technology on an industrial scale in three different use cases:
(1) Hydrogen production in an ammonia plant;
(2) Syngas and green hydrogen integrated with blue hydrogen production and downstream processing to e-fuels; and
(3) Carbon monoxide production at a gas-producing plant.
For each use case, the upscaling options of the SOEC technology in the industrial environment, including heat integration and retrofit integration, will be explored. Focusing on the evaluation of technical and economic aspects, the research will result in a roadmap for a SOEC demo plant for integration in a (petro)chemical plant.
The project is co-funded by the Topsector Energy Studies of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
