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STATUS OF THE INL HIGH-TEMPERATURE ELECTROLYSIS RESEARCH PROGRAMME – EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELLING
Status of the INL high-temperature electrolysis
research programme – experimental and modelling
J.E. O’Brien, 1 J.S. Herring, 1 C.M. Stoots, 1 M.G. McKellar, 1
E.A. Harvego, 1 K.G. Condie, 1 G.K. Housley, 1 J.J. Hartvigsen 2
1Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID USA
2Ceramatec, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT USA
Abstract
This paper provides a status update on the high-temperature electrolysis (HTE) research and
development programme at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), with an overview of recent large-scale
system modelling results and the status of the experimental programme. System analysis results have
been obtained using the commercial code UniSim, augmented with a custom high-temperature
electrolyser module. The process flow diagrams for the system simulations include an advanced
nuclear reactor as a source of high-temperature process heat, a power cycle and a coupled steam
electrolysis loop. Several reactor types and power cycles have been considered, over a range of reactor
coolant outlet temperatures.
In terms of experimental research, the INL has recently completed an Integrated Laboratory Scale (ILS)
HTE test at the 15 kW level. The initial hydrogen production rate for the ILS test was in excess of
5 000 litres per hour. Details of the ILS design and operation will be presented. Current small-scale
experimental research is focused on improving the degradation characteristics of the electrolysis cells
and stacks. Small-scale testing ranges from single cells to multiple-cell stacks. The INL is currently in
the process of testing several state-of-the-art anode-supported cells and is working to broaden its
relationship with industry in order to improve the long-term performance of the cells.
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