High temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) technology using solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is a promising method for the production of clean fuels. Also, it is a novel path of CO₂ neutral cycle for utilizing CO₂ and thus reducing CO₂ emissions due to the generation and use of synthetic liquid fuels for the existing transportation infrastructure. It can make use of renewable energy or nuclear energy to split H₂O and CO₂ in SOEC system to produce synthesis gas (H₂+CO), which is raw materials of synthetic hydrocarbon fuels. In this paper, the basic principle, the advantages of co-electrolysis of H₂O and CO₂ via SOEC for clean fuel production, the key technologies and challenges are described in detail. The main advantages of this technique lie in the following aspects:It can provide a carbon neutral means of producing syngas while consuming CO₂;It can obtain very high efficiency when coupled with renewable energies or advanced nuclear reactors; It has high flexibility such as reversible operation, modular, scalable process, and so on. And it can also be used as an efficient storage means for fluctuating renewable energy. The current research situation around the world and its application prospects in the field of advanced energy technologies are also discussed. Contents
1 Introduction
2 Technical overview of HTCE
2.1 Principle of HTCE
2.2 Technical features
2.3 Key technologies of HTCE
3 Research status of HTCE
4 Conclusions and outlook