Comparison of a One-Dimensional Model of a High-Temperature Solid-Oxide Electrolysis Stack with CFD and Experimental Results

A one-dimensional model has been developed to predict the thermal and electrochemical behavior of a high-temperature steam electrolysis stack. This electrolyzer model allows for the determination of the average Nernst potential, cell operating voltage, gas outlet temperatures, and electrolyzer efficiency for any specified inlet gas flow rates, current density, cell active area, and external heat loss or gain. The model includes a temperature-dependent area-specific resistance (ASR) that accounts for the significant increase in electrolyte ionic conductivity that occurs with increasing temperature. Model predictions are shown to compare favorably with results obtained from a fully 3-D computational fluid dynamics model. The one-dimensional model was also employed to demonstrate the expected trends in electrolyzer performance over a range of operating conditions including isothermal, adiabatic, constant steam utilization, constant flow rate, and the effects of operating temperature

System Modeling of Lunar Oxygen Production: Mass and Power Requirements

A systems analysis tool for estimating the mass and power requirements for a lunar oxygen production facility is introduced. The individual modeling components involve the chemical processing and cryogenic storage subsystems needed to process a beneficiated regolith stream into liquid oxygen via ilmenite reduction. The power can be supplied from one of six different fission reactor-converter systems. A baseline system analysis, capable of producing 15 metric tons of oxygen per annum, is presented. The influence of reactor-converter choice was seen to have a small but measurable impact on the system configuration and performance. Finally, the mission concept of operations can have a substantial impact upon individual component size and power requirements

Continuum scale modelling and complementary experimentation of solid oxide cells

Solid oxide cells are an exciting technology for energy conversion. Fuel cells, based on solid oxide technology, convert hydrogen or hydrogen-rich fuels into electrical energy, with potential applications in stationary power generation. Conversely, solid oxide electrolysers convert electricity into chemical energy, thereby offering the potential to store energy from transient resources, such as wind turbines and other renewable technologies. For solid oxide cells to displace conventional energy conversion devices in the marketplace, reliability must be improved, product lifecycles extended, and unit costs reduced. Mathematical models can provide qualitative and quantitative insight into physical phenomena and performance, over a range of length and time scales. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with a summary of the state-of-the art of solid oxide cell models. These range from: simple methods based on lumped parameters with little or no kinetics to detailed, time-dependent, three-dimensional solutions for electric field potentials, complex chemical kinetics and fully-comprehensive equations of motion based on effective transport properties. Many mathematical models have, in the past, been based on inaccurate property values obtained from the literature, as well as over-simplistic schemes to compute effective values. It is important to be aware of the underlying experimental methods available to parameterise mathematical models, as well as validate results. In this article, state-of-the-art techniques for measuring kinetic, electric and transport properties are also described. Methods such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy allow for fundamental physicochemical parameters to be obtained. In addition, effective properties may be obtained using micro-scale computer simulations based on digital reconstruction obtained from X-ray tomography/focussed ion beam scanning electron microscopy, as well as percolation theory. The cornerstone of model validation, namely the polarisation or current-voltage diagram, provides necessary, but insufficient information to substantiate the reliability of detailed model calculations. The results of physical experiments which precisely mimic the details of model conditions are scarce, and it is fair to say there is a gap between the two activities. The purpose of this review is to introduce the reader to the current state-of-the art of solid oxide analysis techniques, in a tutorial fashion, not only numerical and but also experimental, and to emphasise the cross-linkages between techniques

Thermo-fluid dynamics modelling of steam electrolysis in fully-assembled tubular high-temperature proton-conducting cells

Electrolysis based on renewable energies offers a promising carbon-free solution for hydrogen generation and storage. The recent developments of proton ceramic electrolysis cells operating at intermediate temperatures bear promise of superior energy efficiency compared to oxide ion conducting electrolytes. Here, a proton ceramic Single Engineering Unit (SEU) design is optimized for steam electrolysis using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model implemented in a COMSOL Multiphysics software. The SEU is an all-in-one tubular cell arrangement that constitutes the smallest electrolysis unit and enables efficient, adaptable pressurized hydrogen generation. The parametrical modelling study is conducted for two adiabatic operation scenarios with distinct steam conversion rates and tested for multiple key parameters, namely internal and external chamber pressures and inlet stream temperature. The modelling results show that low steam conversions enable operation at higher current densities and that the thermoneutral voltage for a fixed steam conversion is highly sensitive to the process conditions and operation modes. The increment of the pressure of the generated hydrogen implies a reduced production rate at thermoneutral voltage, although it can be compensated with an enhanced steam pressure or a reduced inlet temperature. Additionally, the introduction of a porous medium as the SEU current collector in the steam chamber enhances heat transport within this chamber. The area specific resistance of the system determines the current density, enforcing an adaption of the area of the electrolyser to satisfy the target hydrogen production and energy efficiency. The resulting proposed SEU design and adapted operational parameters allow effective delivery of pressurized dry hydrogen for a wide range of conditions and applications.publishedVersio

3D CFD Model of High Temperature H2O/CO2 Co-electrolysis

3D CFD Model of High Temperature H2O/CO2 Co-Electrolysis Grant Hawkes1, James O’Brien1, Carl Stoots1, Stephen Herring1 Joe Hartvigsen2 1 Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho, [email protected] 2 Ceramatec Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah INTRODUCTION A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been created to model high temperature co-electrolysis of steam and carbon dioxide in a planar solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) using solid oxide fuel cell technology. A research program is under way at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to simultaneously address the research and scale-up issues associated with the implementation of planar solid-oxide electrolysis cell technology for syn-gas production from CO2 and steam. Various runs have been performed under different run conditions to help assess the performance of the SOE. This paper presents CFD results of this model compared with experimental results. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in conjunction with Ceramatec Inc. (Salt Lake City, USA) has been researching for several years the use of solid-oxide fuel cell technology to electrolyze steam for large-scale nuclear-powered hydrogen production. Now, an experimental research project is underway at the INL to produce syngas by simultaneously electrolyzing at high-temperature steam and carbon dioxide (CO2) using solid oxide fuel cell technology. A strong interest exists in the large-scale production of syn-gas from CO2 and steam to be reformed into a usable transportation fuel. If biomass is used as the carbon source, the overall process is climate neutral. Consequently, there is a high level of interest in production of syn-gas from CO2 and steam electrolysis. With the price of oil currently around $60 / barrel, synthetically-derived hydrocarbon fuels (synfuels) have become economical. Synfuels are typically produced from syngas – hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) -- using the Fischer-Tropsch process, discovered by Germany before World War II. High-temperature nuclear reactors have the potential for substantially increasing the efficiency of syn-gas production from CO2 and water, with no consumption of fossil fuels, and no production of greenhouse gases. Thermal CO2-splitting and water splitting for syn-gas production can be accomplished via high-temperature electrolysis, using high-temperature nuclear process heat and electricity. A high-temperature advanced nuclear reactor coupled with a high-efficiency high-temperature electrolyzer could achieve a competitive thermal-to-syn-gas conversion efficiency of 45 to 55%