scholarly journals Idaho National Laboratory Experimental Research in High Temperature Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Syngas Production

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl M. Stoots ◽  
James E. O’Brien ◽  
J. Stephen Herring ◽  
Keith G. Condie ◽  
Joseph J. Hartvigsen
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Salt Lake City ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
Syngas Production ◽  
Stack Testing

The Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA), in collaboration with Ceramatec, Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), is actively researching the application of solid oxide fuel cell technology as electrolyzers for large scale hydrogen and syngas production. This technology relies upon electricity and high temperature heat to chemically reduce a steam or steam / CO2 feedstock. Single button cell tests, multi-cell stack, as well as multi-stack testing has been conducted. Stack testing used 10 × 10 cm cells (8 × 8 cm active area) supplied by Ceramatec and ranged from 10 cell short stacks to 240 cell modules. Tests were conducted either in a bench-scale test apparatus or in a newly developed 5 kW Integrated Laboratory Scale (ILS) test facility. Gas composition, operating voltage, and operating temperature were varied during testing. The tests were heavily instrumented, and outlet gas compositions were monitored with a gas chromatograph. The ILS facility is currently being expanded to ∼15 kW testing capacity (H2 production rate based upon lower heating value).

scholarly journals Recent Progress at the Idaho National Laboratory in High Temperature Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Syngas Production

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Stoots ◽  
J. O’Brien ◽  
J. Herring ◽  
J. Hartvigsen
Keyword(s):  
Salt Lake ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Salt Lake City ◽  
H2 Production ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
Syngas Production ◽  
Lake City ◽  
Stack Testing

This paper presents the most recent results of experiments conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) studying electrolysis of steam and coelectrolysis of steam / carbon dioxide in solid-oxide electrolysis stacks. Single button cell tests as well as multi-cell stack testing have been conducted. Multi-cell stack testing used 10 × 10 cm cells (8 × 8 cm active area) supplied by Ceramatec, Inc (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) and ranged from 10 cell short stacks to 240 cell modules. Tests were conducted either in a bench-scale test apparatus or in a newly developed 5 kW Integrated Laboratory Scale (ILS) test facility. Gas composition, operating voltage, and operating temperature were varied during testing. The tests were heavily instrumented, and outlet gas compositions were monitored with a gas chromatograph. The ILS facility is currently being expanded to 15 kW testing capacity (H2 production rate based upon lower heating value).

scholarly journals Test Results From the Idaho National Laboratory 15kW High Temperature Electrolysis Test Facility

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl M. Stoots ◽  
Keith G. Condie ◽  
James E. O’Brien ◽  
J. Stephen Herring ◽  
Joseph J. Hartvigsen
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
The United States ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Heat Recuperation ◽  
High Temperature Electrolysis

A 15 kW high temperature electrolysis test facility has been developed at the Idaho National Laboratory under the United States Department of Energy Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative. This facility is intended to study the technology readiness of using high temperature solid oxide cells for large scale nuclear powered hydrogen production. It is designed to address larger-scale issues such as thermal management (feedstock heating, high temperature gas handling, heat recuperation), multiple-stack hot zone design, multiple-stack electrical configurations, etc. Heat recuperation and hydrogen recycle are incorporated into the design. The facility was operated for 1080 hours and successfully demonstrated the largest scale high temperature solid-oxide-based production of hydrogen to date.

scholarly journals Test Results From the Idaho National Laboratory of the NASA Bi-Supported Cell Design

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Stoots ◽  
J. O’Brien ◽  
T. Cable
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
High Power ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Cell Design ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
The University ◽  
Solid Oxide Cell

The Idaho National Laboratory has been researching the application of solid-oxide fuel cell technology for large-scale hydrogen production. As a result, the Idaho National Laboratory has been testing various cell designs to characterize electrolytic performance. NASA, in conjunction with the University of Toledo, has developed a new cell concept with the goals of reduced weight and high power density. This paper presents results of the INL’s testing of this new solid oxide cell design as an electrolyzer. Gas composition, operating voltage, and other parameters were varied during testing. Results to date show the NASA cell to be a promising design for both high power-to-weight fuel cell and electrolyzer applications.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in High Temperature Electrolysis at Idaho National Laboratory: Stack Tests

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
James E. O’Brien ◽  
Robert C. O’Brien ◽  
Joseph J. Hartvigsen ◽  
Greg Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Degradation Rates ◽  
Solid Oxide Electrolysis ◽  
Electrolysis Mode

High temperature steam electrolysis is a promising technology for efficiently sustainable large-scale hydrogen production. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are able to utilize high temperature heat and electric power from advanced high-temperature nuclear reactors or renewable sources to generate carbon-free hydrogen at large scale. However, long term durability of SOECs needs to be improved significantly before commercialization of this technology. A degradation rate of 1%/khr or lower is proposed as a threshold value for commercialization of this technology. Solid oxide electrolysis stack tests have been conducted at Idaho National Laboratory to demonstrate recent improvements in long-term durability of SOECs. Electrolyte-supported and electrode-supported SOEC stacks were provided by Ceramatec Inc., Materials and Systems Research Inc. (MSRI), and Saint Gobain Advanced Materials (St. Gobain), respectively for these tests. Long-term durability tests were generally operated for a duration of 1000 hours or more. Stack tests based on technologies developed at Ceramatec and MSRI have shown significant improvement in durability in the electrolysis mode. Long-term degradation rates of 3.2%/khr and 4.6%/khr were observed for MSRI and Ceramatec stacks, respectively. One recent Ceramatec stack even showed negative degradation (performance improvement) over 1900 hours of operation. A three-cell short stack provided by St. Gobain, however, showed rapid degradation in the electrolysis mode. Optimizations of electrode materials, interconnect coatings, and electrolyte-electrode interface microstructures contribute to better durability of SOEC stacks.

scholarly journals Development of a Multi-Loop Flow and Heat Transfer Facility for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulic and Hybrid Energy System Studies

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. O’Brien ◽  
Piyush Sabharwall ◽  
SuJong Yoon
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Hybrid Energy ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase ◽  
Intermediate Heat Exchanger

A new high-temperature multi-fluid, multi-loop test facility for advanced nuclear applications is under development at the Idaho National Laboratory. The facility will include three flow loops: high-temperature helium, molten salt, and steam/water. Molten salts have been identified as excellent candidate heat transport fluids for primary or secondary coolant loops, supporting advanced high temperature and small modular reactors (SMRs). Details of some of the design aspects and challenges of this facility, which is currently in the conceptual design phase, are discussed. A preliminary design configuration will be presented, with the required characteristics of the various components. The loop will utilize advanced high-temperature compact printed-circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs) operating at prototypic intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) conditions. The initial configuration will include a high-temperature (750°C), high-pressure (7 MPa) helium loop thermally integrated with a molten fluoride salt (KF-ZrF4) flow loop operating at low pressure (0.2 MPa) at a temperature of ∼450°C. Experiment design challenges include identification of suitable materials and components that will withstand the required loop operating conditions. Corrosion and high temperature creep behavior are major considerations. The facility will include a thermal energy storage capability designed to support scaled process heat delivery for a variety of hybrid energy systems and grid stabilization strategies. Experimental results obtained from this research will also provide important data for code verification and validation (V&V) related to these systems.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in High Temperature Electrolysis at Idaho National Laboratory: Single Cell Tests

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Zhang ◽  
James E. O’Brien ◽  
Robert C. O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Advanced Materials ◽  
Idaho National Laboratory ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Stable Performance ◽  
High Temperature Electrolysis

An experimental investigation on the performance and durability of single solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) is under way at the Idaho National Laboratory. In order to understand and mitigate the degradation issues in high temperature electrolysis, single SOECs with different configurations from several manufacturers have been evaluated for initial performance and long-term durability. A new test apparatus has been developed for single cell and small stack tests from different vendors. Single cells from Ceramatec Inc. show improved durability compared to our previous stack tests. Single cells from Materials and Systems Research Inc. (MSRI) demonstrate low degradation both in fuel cell and electrolysis modes. Single cells from Saint Gobain Advanced Materials (St. Gobain) show stable performance in fuel cell mode, but rapid degradation in the electrolysis mode. Electrolyte-electrode delamination is found to have significant impact on degradation in some cases. Enhanced bonding between electrolyte and electrode and modification of the microstructure help to mitigate degradation. Polarization scans and AC impedance measurements are performed during the tests to characterize the cell performance and degradation.

scholarly journals The Component Test Facility: A National User Facility for Testing of High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) Components and Systems

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vondell J. Balls ◽  
David S. Duncan ◽  
Stephanie L. Austad
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Nuclear Plant ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Component Test ◽  
User Facility ◽  
High Temperature Gas

The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) and other High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) Projects require research, development, design, construction, and operation of a nuclear plant intended for both high-efficiency electricity production and high-temperature industrial applications, including hydrogen production. During the life cycle stages of an HTGR, plant systems, structures and components (SSCs) will be developed to support this reactor technology. To mitigate technical, schedule, and project risk associated with development of these SSCs, a large-scale test facility is required to support design verification and qualification prior to operational implementation. As a full-scale helium test facility, the Component Test facility (CTF) will provide prototype testing and qualification of heat transfer system components (e.g., Intermediate Heat Exchanger, valves, hot gas ducts), reactor internals, and hydrogen generation processing. It will perform confirmation tests for large-scale effects, validate component performance requirements, perform transient effects tests, and provide production demonstration of hydrogen and other high-temperature applications. Sponsored wholly or in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, the CTF will support NGNP and will also act as a National User Facility to support worldwide development of High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor technologies.

scholarly journals Climatology of Strong Intermountain Cold Fronts

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C. Shafer ◽  
W. James Steenburgh
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Front ◽  
Salt Lake ◽  
Salt Lake City ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Intermountain West ◽  
Cold Fronts ◽  
Northern Utah ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract Motivated by the intensity and severity of winds and temperature falls that frequently accompany rapidly developing cold fronts in northern Utah, this paper presents a 25-yr climatology of strong cold frontal passages over the Intermountain West and adjoining western United States. Using conventional surface observations and the North American Regional Reanalysis, strong cold frontal passages are identified based on a temperature fall of 7°C or greater in a 2–3-h period, a concurrent pressure rise of 3 hPa or greater, and the presence of a large-scale 700-hPa temperature gradient of at least 6°C (500 km)−1. The number of strong cold frontal passages exhibits a strong continental signature with very few events (<10) along the Pacific coast and more than 200 events east of the Continental Divide. The number of events increases dramatically from the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada to northern Utah, indicating that the Intermountain West is a frequent cold front breeding ground. A composite of the 25 strongest events at Salt Lake City (based on the magnitude of the temperature fall) reveals that confluent deformation acting on a broad baroclinic zone over central Nevada commonly initiates Intermountain frontogenesis. The confluent deformation develops in southwesterly large-scale flow and appears to be enhanced by flow deflection around the Sierra Nevada. Quasi-stationary development and intensification of the southwest–northeast-oriented cold front then occurs as a mobile upper-level trough approaches from the west. The front becomes mobile as cold advection and ascent associated with the upper-level trough overtake the low-level front. Cloud and precipitation observations suggest that differential diabatic heating contributes to the rapid frontal intensification in many events.

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