On the analysis of CO2, H2- and CO,H2-mixtures by water-gas potentiometry with solid electrolyte cells

The potentiometric analysis of CO₂, H₂ and CO, H₂O-mixtures using oxide ion-conducting solid electrolytes requires the adjustment of the water-gas equilibrium without side reactions in the high-temperature galvanic cell. Conventional cell designs suitable for the analysis of H₂, H₂O and CO, CO₂-mixtures are not applicable due to the insufficient gas residence times in the cells and the insufficient catalytical activity of the platinum electrodes. Solid electrolyte cells have to be modified by integrating of suitable catalysts. Under optimized conditions of gas velocity and cell temperature both gas systems can be analyzed only by measuring the cell tension U (=–emf) and temperature in the favorized temperature range around 813°C. Here systematical errors of the component ratio or the mole fraction were smaller than 6%. Several fundamental requirements for the application of catalysts in solid electrolyte cells for the analysis of reactive water-gas mixtures are pointed out.