Concepts and design for scaling up high temperature water vapour electrolysis

Abstract Based upon laboratory high temperature electrolysis experiments with single cells and serial connected electrolysis cells a concept for scaling up the system for technical applications is presented. It is shown that with regard to the specific properties of ceramic materials a tubular geometry for the electrolysis cells will be most appropriate. In contrast to flat plate cells, tubular cells can easily be connected in series with respect to electrical current as well as gas flow. A scheme for the integration of electrolysis tubes into modules and large scale electrolysis plants will be presented. With respect to the process engineering of an industrial electrolysis plant, it is shown that a near term realization is possible, without high temperature heat sources, by a slightly exothermic operation of the electrolysis cells.