Utilising CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals and fuels could help mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

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The objective of HYTHEC—HYdrogen THErmo-chemical Cycles—is to investigate the effective potential for massive hydrogen production of the S–I thermo-chemical cycle, and to compare it with the hybrid S Westinghouse (WH) cycle. The project aims to conduct flow-sheeting, industrial scale-up, safety and costs modelling, to improve the fundamental knowledge and efficiency of the S–I cycle H2 production step, and to investigate a solar primary energy source for the H2SO4 decomposition step which is common to both the cycles. Initial reference flowsheets have been prepared and compared. First data and results are available now on the coupling of S–I cycle with a very high temperature nuclear reactor, scale-up to industrial level and cost estimation, improvement of the knowledge of the HIx mixture (S–I cycle) and membrane separation, splitting of sulphuric acid using a solar furnace, and plant concepts regarding the WH process

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Co-electrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam has been shown to be an efficient way to produce syngas, however further optimisation requires detailed understanding of the complex reactions, transport processes and degradation mechanisms occurring in the solid oxide cell (SOC) during operation. Whilst electrochemical measurements are currently conducted in situ, many analytical techniques can only be used ex situ and may even be destructive to the cell (e.g. SEM imaging of the microstructure). In order to fully understand and characterise co-electrolysis, in situ monitoring of the reactants, products and SOC is necessary. Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) is ideal for in situ monitoring of co-electrolysis as both gaseous and adsorbed CO and CO2 species can be detected, however it has previously not been used for this purpose. The challenges of designing an experimental rig which allows optical access alongside electrochemical measurements at high temperature and operates in a dual atmosphere are discussed. The rig developed has thus far been used for symmetric cell testing at temperatures from 450 °C to 600 °C. Under a CO atmosphere, significant changes in spectra were observed even over a simple Au|10Sc1CeSZ|Au SOC. The changes relate to a combination of CO oxidation, the water gas shift reaction, carbonate formation and decomposition processes, with the dominant process being both potential and temperature dependent.

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h i g h l i g h t sHighly sensitive technique for remote temperature measurement of an SOC. Very little temperature variation across the diameter of the cell during operation. Observed switch from endo (electrolysis) to exo (joule heating) thermic regimes. Changes in electroethermal activity is directly observed during operation. a b s t r a c tSolid oxide fuel cells remain at the forefront of research into electrochemical energy conversion technology. More recent interest has focused on operating in electrolyser mode to convert steam or carbon dioxide into hydrogen or carbon monoxide, respectively. The mechanism of these reactions is not fully understood, particularly when operated in co-electrolysis mode using both steam and CO 2 . This contribution reports the use of a thermal camera to directly observe changes in the cell temperature during operation, providing a remote, non-contact and highly sensitive method for monitoring an operational cell.