Hydrogen Production from Water and Air Through Solid Oxide Electrolysis

Abstract

High-temperature solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEs) or solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are electrochemical devices for the efficient production of hydrogen or syngas as feedstock for liquid fuels such as methanol, gasoline, and diesel using electricity and unused heat from nuclear plants, steelmakers, or renewable energy sources. This chapter aims to review the principles, status, and progress in the electrochemical hydrogen production process by water electrolysis such as low-temperature alkaline electrolysis cells and polymer exchange membrane electrolysis cells with particular emphasis on the new electrolysis technologies of high-temperature SOECs. The material and material degradation issues associated with high-temperature electrolysis processes are reviewed and discussed.