Results of recent high temperature coelectrolysis studies at the Idaho National Laboratory

Some results of CO2/H2O electrolysis experiments performed to date using button cells and three different 10-cell planar solid oxide stacks are presented and discussed. These results include electrolysis performance at various temperatures, gas mixtures, and electrical settings. Product gas compositions, as measured via an in-line micro gas chromatograph (GC), are compared to predictions obtained from an INL-developed chemical equilibrium coelectrolysis model (CECM). Better understanding of the feasibility of producing syngas using high temperature electrolysis may initiate the systematic investigation of nuclear-powered synfuel production as a bridge to the future hydrogen economy and ultimate independence from foreign energy resources.