Abstract
The spatial distribution of current and temperature plays important role in the electrochemical performance of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs). Many numerical predictions of current and temperature distribution have been reported, whereas experimental investigations were rare. In this research, we are applying an electrode-segmentation method to investigate the spatial current and temperature variation in a cathode-supported microtubular SOEC. The electrode-segmentation method shows a remarkable current variation among the segments. The current densities of the midstream and downstream segments are smaller than the upstream segment with an increased cell voltage, implying that the cell suffers from water starvation. Besides, the temperature at each segment increases with the voltage increase. The largest current in the upstream segment is observed, which agrees with the largest temperature rise there. The largest temperature gradient happens between the upstream and midstream segments.