Modeling of mass and energy transfers in a high temperature membrane electrolyser

• Modeling and simulation of a solid oxide electrolysis cell membrane reactor.
• Impact of the structure of anodic cermet on the distribution profile of the electrochemical reaction rate.
• Influence of the distribution of metal and perovskite fractions on the profile of the oxygen production at the anode.
• Influence of the feed gas velocity on the temperature profile in the electrochemical membrane reactor.

In this work we report the modeling and simulation of a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) membrane reactor for hydrogen production. The reactor was composed of two compartments separated by a dense perovskite membrane and cermet electrodes. The model which includes mass and heat transfers and electrochemical reaction rate was validated with experimental results obtained from the literature. The simulation allowed studying the influence of the structural parameters of the electrode (grain radii, volume and conductivity ratios of the metallic and ceramic phases) on the electrochemical reaction rate through the thickness of the anodic cermet. The simulation of heat transfers permitted to obtain the temperature profile through the different membrane reactor compartments which depends mainly on the gas hydrodynamics inside the anodic compartment.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide