Production of synthetic gas by the co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2 in the molten carbonate electrolyzer.

The reversible operation of a commercialized molten carbonate fuel cell as an electrolyzer is attractive to store the surplus of renewable energy and convert CO 2 into valuable fuel, like syngas (H 2 and CO). This work aims to assess this capability by developing a model for the co-electrolysis of CO 2 and H 2 O in the molten carbonate electrolysis cell (MCEC). Furthermore, a 1 MW power-to-gas system is simulated and optimized to maximize the process efficiency via a profound sensitivity analysis and a pinch heat integration analysis. The study's results reveal that when CO 2 electrolysis occurs, there is a risk of reaching the limiting current density at lower values, thus affecting the cell's performance. As for the simulation, the process yields an efficiency of 68.87% with an electrolyzer's power density of 0.082 W/cm2 per cell, producing 1.3 tons/day of methane gas ready for injection into the natural gas network. • Co-electrolysis of H 2 O and CO 2 in a molten carbonate electrolyzer was modelled. • 1 MW power-to-gas system is simulated and optimized via a sensitivity analysis. • Process yields an efficiency of 68.87% with 1.3 tons/day methane gas production. • The electrolyzer operates at a power density of 0.082 W/cm2 per cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]