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

Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
G. K. Housley ◽  
D. G. Milobar ◽  
Nathalie Petigny

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 900°C. 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.

Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
C. M. Stoots ◽  
J. S. Herring ◽  
J. Hartvigsen

An experimental study is under way to assess the performance of solid-oxide cells operating in the steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production over a temperature range of 800 to 900°C. Results presented in this paper were obtained from a ten-cell planar electrolysis stack, with an active area of 64 cm2 per cell. The electrolysis cells are electrolyte-supported, with scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolytes (∼140 μm thick), nickel-cermet steam/hydrogen electrodes, and manganite air-side electrodes. The metallic interconnect plates are fabricated from ferritic stainless steel. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet mole fractions (0.1–0.6), gas flow rates (1000–4000 sccm), and current densities (0 to 0.38 A/cm2). Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply. Hydrogen production rates up to 100 Normal liters per hour were demonstrated. Values of area-specific resistance and stack internal temperatures are presented as a function of current density. Stack performance is shown to be dependent on inlet steam flow rate.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
C. M. Stoots ◽  
J. S. Herring ◽  
J. Hartvigsen

An experimental study is under way to assess the performance of solid-oxide cells operating in the steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production over a temperature range of 800-900°C. Results presented in this paper were obtained from a ten-cell planar electrolysis stack, with an active area of 64cm2 per cell. The electrolysis cells are electrolyte supported, with scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolytes (∼140μm thick), nickel-cermet steam/hydrogen electrodes, and manganite air-side electrodes. The metallic interconnect plates are fabricated from ferritic stainless steel. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet mole fractions (0.1–0.6), gas flow rates (1000-4000sccm), and current densities (0-0.38A∕cm2). Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply. Hydrogen production rates up to 100Nl∕h were demonstrated. Values of area-specific resistance and stack internal temperatures are presented as a function of current density. Stack performance is shown to be dependent on inlet steam flow rate.


Author(s):  
X. Zhang ◽  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
R. C. O’Brien ◽  
N. Petigny

An experimental study has been conducted to assess the performance of electrode-supported solid-oxide cells operating in the steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production. 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 modified LSM or LSCF air-side electrodes (∼90 μm thick). The purpose of the present study is to document and compare the performance and degradation rates of these cells in the fuel cell mode and in the electrolysis mode under various operating conditions. Initial performance was documented through a series of voltage-current (VI) sweeps and AC impedance spectroscopy measurements. Degradation was determined through long-term testing, first in the fuel cell mode, then in the electrolysis mode. Results generally indicate accelerated degradation rates in the electrolysis mode compared to the fuel cell mode, possibly due to electrode delamination. The paper also includes details of an improved single-cell test apparatus developed specifically for these experiments.


Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
C. M. Stoots ◽  
J. S. Herring ◽  
P. A. Lessing

An experimental study has been completed to assess the hydrogen-production performance of single solid-oxide electrolysis cells operating over a temperature range of 800 to 900°C. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet partial pressures (2.3 – 12.2 kPa), carrier gas flow rates (50–200 sccm), and current densities (−0.75 to 0.25 A/cm2) using single electrolyte-supported button cells of scandia-stabilized zirconia. Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply. Values of area-specific resistance and hydrogen production rate are presented as a function of current density. Cell performance is shown to be continuous from the fuel-cell mode to the electrolysis mode of operation. The effects of steam starvation and thermal cycling on cell performance parameters are discussed. Laboratory capabilities are currently being expanded to allow for testing and characterization of multiple-cell electrolysis stacks. Some fundamental differences between the fuel-cell and electrolysis modes of operation have been summarized.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
C. M. Stoots ◽  
J. S. Herring ◽  
P. A. Lessing ◽  
J. J. Hartvigsen ◽  
...  

An experimental study has been completed to assess the performance of single solid-oxide electrolysis cells operating over a temperature range of 800 to 900°C. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet partial pressures (2.3–12.2 kPa), carrier gas flow rates (50–200 sccm), and current densities (−0.75–0.25A∕cm2) using single electrolyte-supported button cells of scandia-stabilized zirconia. Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dew-point instrumentation. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply and monitored continuously. Values of area-specific resistance and thermal efficiency are presented as a function of current density. Cell performance is shown to be continuous from the fuel-cell mode to the electrolysis mode of operation. The effects of steam starvation and thermal cycling on cell performance parameters are discussed.


Author(s):  
J. E. O’Brien ◽  
C. M. Stoots ◽  
J. S. Herring ◽  
P. A. Lessing ◽  
J. J. Hartvigsen ◽  
...  

An experimental study has been completed to assess the performance of single solid-oxide electrolysis cells operating over a temperature range of 800 to 900°C. The experiments were performed over a range of steam inlet partial pressures (2.3–12.2 kPa), carrier gas flow rates (50–200 sccm), and current densities (−0.75 to 0.25 A/cm2) using single electrolyte-supported button cells of scandia-stabilized zirconia. Steam consumption rates associated with electrolysis were measured directly using inlet and outlet dewpoint instrumentation. Cell operating potentials and cell current were varied using a programmable power supply and monitored continuously. Values of area-specific resistance and thermal efficiency are presented as a function of current density. Cell performance is shown to be continuous from the fuel-cell mode to the electrolysis mode of operation. The effects of steam starvation and thermal cycling on cell performance parameters are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (39) ◽  
pp. 20833-20842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yihang Li ◽  
Bobing Hu ◽  
Changrong Xia ◽  
Wayne Q. Xu ◽  
John P. Lemmon ◽  
...  

Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can directly convert CO2 to CO and O2 that are important building blocks for chemical production and other applications.


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