Characterisation of the electrochemical water gas shift reactor (EWGSR) operated with hydrogen and carbon monoxide rich feed gas

Water gas shift units are used to raise the H₂ yield of reforming processes by converting CO to CO₂ and additional H₂. Additional subsequent processes are required to separate H₂ from the product gas stream to obtain pure H₂. This study investigates a novel electrochemical membrane reactor, where the water gas shift reaction occurs electrochemically. The reactor is operated at 393 K and 403 K with electrical energy to enable hydrogen purification in terms of electrochemical pumping, as well as a simultaneous electrochemical CO oxidation to increase the yield of purified H₂. The experimental results show the influence of several operation parameters upon its operation characteristics (e.g. cell voltage, electrochemical CO oxidation, the energy demand, etc.). The process yielded high overall exergy efficiencies of, e.g. 78.3%, whereas the anodic outlet stream contributed with 35%-units, and the purified hydrogen with 43.3%-units.