Abstract

An investigation of methane synthesis by co-electrolysis using renewable energy was conducted. The aim was to achieve highly efficient energy conversion in carbon recycling. Specifically, the investigation focused on the reaction conditions that apply when carbon dioxide and high-temperature steam are used to obtain syngas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen made by co-electrolysis. First, the co-electrolysis performance of the electrolyte supported cell and of the fuel electrode supported cell were compared in order to determine the characteristics of a solid oxide electrolysis cell that are suited to syngas production. It was found from the results of that comparison that both the electrolysis current density and the syngas conversion rate are higher with the fuel electrode supported cell. Next, the relationship between the electrolysis current density and the source gas throughput quantity, which is a design parameter for the solid oxide electrolysis cell reactor, was obtained using a fuel electrode supported cell. Confirmation was also obtained of the source gas composition needed to match the syngas composition to the theoretical molar ratio for producing methane gas, which is an operation criterion for such reactors.

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Author (organization or company)

• Masahiro MOURI（Innovative Research Excellence Power Unit & Energy）
• Kazuki YANAGISAWA
• Misato MAKI（Innovative Research Excellence Power Unit & Energy）
• Junpei YOSHIDA

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.34 No.1 (74 - 82)

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