Formation and Detection of Hydrogen by Oxygen Discharge Using Oxygen Pump-Sensor

An oxygen pump sensor was constructed using yttria-stabilized zirconia, which is an oxide ion conductor, and oxygen was discharged from steam to generate hydrogen. The oxygen pump sensor consisted of a pump that discharges oxygen and a sensor that controls the oxygen partial pressure by having electrodes in two places. Oxygen was discharged by applying a current to the pump by controlling the potential of the sensor. Hydrogen was then generated from water vapor. Furthermore, an oxygen pump sensor was installed in the second stage, oxygen was supplied by the pump, and the amount of generated hydrogen was measured in situ. This measurement showed that the oxygen partial pressure of the atmosphere decreased as hydrogen was generated. Specifically, the partial pressure of the water vapor generated more hydrogen at 30.8 vol.% than at 12.2 vol.%. Moreover, the amounts of oxygen discharged and hydrogen generated inversely correlated with the potential.