High-Temperature Co-electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide and Steam for the Production of Syngas; Equilibrium Model and Single-Cell Tests

Conference · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2007

OSTI ID:912908

O'Brien, J E; Stoots, C M; Hawkes, G L; Herring, J S; Hartvigsen, J J

An experimental study has been completed to assess the performance of single solid-oxide electrolysis cells operating over a temperature range of 800 to 850ºC in the coelectrolysis mode, simultaneously electrolyzing steam and carbon dioxide for the direct production of syngas. The experiments were performed over a range of inlet flow rates of steam, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nitrogen and over a range of current densities (-0.1 to 0.25 A/cm2) using single electrolyte-supported button electrolysis cells. Steam and carbon dioxide consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation and a gas chromatograph, respectively. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply. Measured values of open-cell potential and outlet gas composition are compared to predictions obtained from a chemical equilibrium coelectrolysis model. Model predictions of outlet gas composition based on an effective equilibrium temperature are shown to agree well with measurements. Area-specific resistance values were similar for steam electrolysis and coelectrolysis.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727
• OSTI ID: 912908
• Report Number(s): INL/CON-07-12102
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
AVAILABILITY
CARBON DIOXIDE
CONSUMPTION RATES
DATA
ELECTROLYSIS
FLOW RATE
HYDROGEN
NITROGEN
PERFORMANCE
PRODUCTION
SAFETY
STEAM
hydrogen
nuclear energy
synfuels