PROBLEMS OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER-VAPOR

The high-temperature electrolysis of water with the use of solid electrolytes is characterized by small specific electrical power inputs and high energy intensity, which can reach 2.4-3.2 k Wh m-3 of hydrogen and 1-2 MW M-3, respectively. The development of the thin-film technology for production of electrolytes allows us to decrease the operating temperature by 100-degrees-200-degrees-C. In this case, the operating conditions depend on the electrode polarizability. The conditions necessary for reliable operation of the electrolysis elements were considered. It was shown that electrode polarization exceeding the allowable limit is the main cause of the elements' operational deterioration and destruction. The causes of the nonuniform element polarizability and its effect on the electrical characteristics were considered.