Performance of Single Electrode-Supported Cells Operating in the Electrolysis Mode

Conference · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 2009

OSTI ID:969500

O'Brien, J E; Housley, G K; Milobar, D G

An experimental study is under way to assess the performance of electrode-supported solid-oxide cells operating in the steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production over a temperature range of 800 to 900ºC. Results presented in this paper were obtained from single cells, with an active area of 16 cm2 per cell. The electrolysis cells are electrode-supported, with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes (~10 µm thick), nickel-YSZ steam/hydrogen electrodes (~1400 µm thick), and manganite (LSM) air-side electrodes. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet mole fractions (0.1 – 0.6), gas flow rates, and current densities (0 to 0.6 A/cm2). Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation. On a molar basis, the steam consumption rate is equal to the hydrogen production rate. Cell performance was evaluated by performing DC potential sweeps at 800, 850, and 900°C. The voltage-current characteristics are presented, along with values of area-specific resistance as a function of current density. Long-term cell performance is also assessed to evaluate cell degradation. Details of the custom single-cell test apparatus developed for these experiments are also presented.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - NE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 969500
• Report Number(s): INL/CON-09-16348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
CONSUMPTION RATES
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
GAS FLOW
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
INTERSTITIAL HYDROGEN GENERATION
PERFORMANCE
STEAM
high temperature electrolysis
hydrogen production
solid oxide cells