Technology
Find out about Circonica’s unique hollow electrode loose plate design.
Solid oxide cell technology
A solid oxide cell is an electrochemical device that is able to convert the chemical energy stored in fuels directly into electricity and heat and vice versa.
As a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electricity can be generated without any moving parts at efficiencies far higher than combustion engines. The heat generated in the process is of relatively high temperature and can be used for heating or industrial processes, in this way total efficiencies to reach close to a hundred percent.
The cells make use of a ceramic electrolyte that is able to transfer oxygen ions from the cathode towards the anode, where they react with fuel to form water (and carbon dioxide if hydrocarbon fuels are used).
Hollow electrode loose plate design
Circonica’s revolutionary cell design is based on the hollow electrode loose plate principle, or HELP for short.
The HELP design allows the use of highly industrialised ceramic manufacturing processes to produce the individual cell components. Additionally, the loose stacking helps to avoid traditional SOFC issues, such as: mechanical failures from temperature gradients and material property mismatches.
The loose stacking also means that all components of the cell use mono-materials, which is highly advantageous for recyclability.
Our advantages
In addition to all the benefits of other fuel- and electrolyzer cells the Circonica design is also cost-effective and robust.
Cost-effective
Highly industrialised and proven processes are used for the production of our cells to lower the investment cost.
Fuel-flexible
Due to the high operating temperatures of these cells they can convert most conventional- and future-fuels directly into electricity and heat.
Reliable
State-of-the-art materials are used to make sure the cells are able to provide power 24/7 for tens of thousands of hours.
Efficient
Fuel cell technology is able to reach high electrical efficiencies of 60% and total efficiencies of 95% and above when the heat is also put to good use.
Carbon neutral
Electricity and heat with net-zero carbon emissions if clean fuels are used such as hydrogen, e-fuels or biogas.
Clean energy
Without combustion a large part of the emissions that conventional generators produce including nitrous oxides (NOx) and particulate matter are avoided.
Integration potential
The heat produced in our cells is of a very high temperature and can be useful for integration into industrial processes or heating.
Future proof
The cells are ready for use in natural gas grids now, and can run on emerging fuels in the future with little to no changes needed.
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