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Electrolysis

SINTEF offers full range of competence in the development and characterization of materials and components for electrolysis technology. Electrolysis is the process of converting water to oxygen and hydrogen using electricity. Small scale electrolysers for hydrogen production are ideal for the conversion of electricity from renewable energy sources to hydrogen for storage.

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Multiphase modelling and visualisation of bubble formation and transport inside a PEM electrolyser.


Our services and customers: 
We have extensive experience working in all fields ranging from fundamental to applied research, both in government funded and industrial projects. Our customers and partners are larger, established industrial actors, as well as smaller startups. We have particularly long and good experience with European projects, such as in the FCH JU-programme, and have close connection to key international actors.

We work in these areas: 

  • Material development
    • Catalysts
    • Electrodes
    • Bipolar plater
    • Extrusion of ceramic tubes
    • Deposition of ceramic layers with chemical and physical methods
    • Proton conducting ceramics
    • High temperature cells on metallic support 
  • Characterization and analysis
    • Characterization of single cells and stacks
    • In situ and ex situ electrochemical testing of materials and components
    • Accelerated lifecycle tests
    • Thermal effects, thermography and inhomogeneity
    • Multiphase flow, visualization and modeling
    • Effect of contaminants
    • Diagnosis and prognoses of cells and systems
    • Post-mortem analysis of materials and components, including microscopy and X-ray methods
    • Analysis of gas-quality/impurities in extremely low concentrations
    • Testing in H2S-containing atmosphere

Method:
Our research projects consist mainly of experimental work, supported by theoretical considerations. We have laboratories with a wide range of advanced test stations with analytical equipment for detailed studies of processes that affect the performance and lifetime of electrolysers. Our research ranges from fundamental understanding of the characteristics of materials via methods of manufacturing of these to the testing of commercial products for the optimization of cell design or operating parameters. Our projects are conducted in close cooperation with the contracting authority and other relevant parts of SINTEF, NTNU and UiO. 

Typical tasks we do: 

  • Development and optimization of materials for catalysts, electrodes and bipolar plates for low temperature electrolysers
  • Development and optimization of ceramic materials for high temperature electrolysers (SOEC, PCEC)
  • Electrochemical characterization of materials and components as mentioned above
  • Lifetime tests and effects of impurities on single cells and stacks
  • (Post-mortem-) analyses of materials and components, including microscopy and X-ray methods in cooperation with other parts of SINTEF/NTNU/UiO
  • Optimizing operating conditions and identifying critical parameters for high efficiency and increased lifespan

Relevant projects:

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