Studies On Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

  High temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) are considered to be one of the most practical and promising technologies for large scale renewable fuel production. Compare to the conventional water electrolysis, high temperature solid oxide electrolysis, which is operated in the temperature range of 700°C-1000 °C, have many advantages. The high operating temperature results in faster reaction kinetics and reduces the electric energy demand thus enabling potentially high efficiency. Furthermore, the SOEC can be used to co-electrolysis with water and CO₂ to produce syngas (H₂ + CO), which can be converted catalytic to various types of synthetic hydrocarbon fuels ^1,2.

  Operating SOEC at increased pressure may be advantageous as it eliminates the pressurization of the product gases thus increasing the efficiency. Further, operation at high pressure allows for integration with production of synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, which are normally operated at pressures exceeding 40 bars ³.

  This presentation will summarize the recent research and development results and activities on SOEC at Risø DTU.

 [1]    A.O. Isenberg, Energy-Conversion Via Solid Oxide Electrolyte Electrochemical-Cells at High-Temperatures, Solid State Ionics 3-4 (1981) 431-437

[2]     S.D. Ebbesen, C. Graves and M. Mogensen, Production of Synthetic Fuels by Co-Electrolysis of Steam and Carbon Dioxide, International Journal of Green Energy 6 (2009) 646-660

[3]     G.A. Mills, Status and Future Opportunities for Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Liquid Fuels, Fuel 73 (1994) 1243-1279