Patent ID: 8647478

Claim:
An electrolyser for high temperature electrolysis capable of operating in an allothermal mode, comprising: an enclosure configured to maintain an electrolytic bath at high or very high pressure of several tens of bars, in which a plurality of electrolysis plates are arranged parallel to each other; and heating means to heat an active fluid intended to undergo high temperature electrolysis with an operating temperature of at least 750° C., the electrolytic bath being formed by the active fluid, and the heating means using a heat-transfer fluid; the electrolysis plates comprising a plurality of electrolysis cells lying side by side substantially in one same plane, each electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, separate from the respective anodes and cathodes of the other cells, at least part of the electrolysis cells of the electrolysis plates being electrically connected in series, wherein the heating means includes a plurality of heating plates arranged on either side of the electrolysis plates, in which the heat-transfer fluid circulates, the heating plates are distinct from the electrolysis plates and not in contact with the electrolysis plates, and the electrolysis plates and the heating plates are immersed in the active fluid.