Life cycle environmental and cost assessment of the protonic ceramic electrolysis stack manufacturing

Abstract

Protonic ceramic electrolysis cell (PCEC) is one of the potential electrolysis technologies for realizing green hydrogen production. However, the environmental footprint and expenditures related to the manufacturing of PCEC is still unclear. This study presents an integrated study of PCEC stack manufacturing by performing both life cycle assessment (LCA) and manufacturing cost assessment (MCA). The cathode is identified as the most environment-detrimental ceramic component, 22.6 % higher than the anode. The frame is the most influential metallic component in PCEC stack, accounting for 43.5 % of CO<inf>2</inf> emissions. Reducing the utilization of metallic material in PCEC manufacturing is underlined as they accounts for over 80 % of material costs. Importantly, decreasing cathode thickness is highlighted as an effective strategy to lower both environmental impacts and manufacturing costs simultaneously. This work provides a comprehensive assessment of PCEC stack production in terms of environmental influences and economic attainability, offering several useful strategies for PCEC stack improvement.