High-purity hydrogen is recovered from a pyrolysis gas, composed mainly of
hydrogen and carbon monoxide, produced by pyrolysis of an organic
material such as biomass. A method for producing such high-purity
hydrogen includes supplying a reducing gas produced by pyrolysis of an
organic material to an anode side of a high-temperature steam
electrolyzer having a diaphragm comprising solid oxide electrolyte; and
supplying steam to a cathode side of the high-temperature steam
electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen by electrolytic action. The
oxygen produced in the cathode side of the high-temperature electrolyzer
passes through the diaphragm and reacts with the reducing gas to create
concentration gradient of oxygen ion, thus lowering electrolysis voltage.