Improving the Efficiency of High-Temperature Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide in a Solid Oxide Cell

Abstract

This work focuses on the development of a bespoke rig which allows for the simultaneous use of non-thermal plasmas (NTPs), oscillating gas flow via a Desai-Zimmerman Fluidic Oscillator (DZFO) and a Solid Oxide Cell (SOC) to create a highly efficient energy conversion device to facilitate the reduction of CO 2 to CO. Both fluidic oscillation and NTPs have the potential to reduce resistances in a SOC, key to furthering their commercialisation. The potential role of NTPs in improving the kinetics and efficiency of reactions relevant to CO 2 reduction, such as the dissociation of CO 2 , is presented. Performance improvements using a rapidly oscillating gas flow, provided by the DZFO, to minimise concentration polarisation resistance by disrupting boundary layer formation and increasing overall efficiency are also discussed. The intersection of these technologies provide a path for a paradigm shift in the ability to convert waste CO 2 into high value feedstock using renewable energy.

Graph Theory Applied to Plasma Chemical Reaction Engineering

“…Whilst there are many applications of plasma in chemical engineering, including electrolysis cells, biomass treatment and packed bed reactors [3][4][5][6] to name but a few, one of the main obstacles limiting the more widespread use of plasmas for many chemistry and chemical engineering applications is their inherent lack of selectivity at atmospheric pressure [7,8]. The energy supplied to the plasma manifests in the movement of charged particles, but where these particles move, and which other particles they collide with and when, is not trivial to control at the particle densities encountered at atmospheric pressure [9,10].…”