anode 6 3 the carbon monoxide flow 6 5 exits the vessel at the outlet 6 9 an ac power source 6 13 and heater means 6 7 bring the cell temperatures to an operational temperature level this cell arrangement is typical for electrolysis units which operate with a dc power supply 6 20 input and whereby the cell can be operated in a current control or voltage control mode cell electrodes are contacted by current and voltage leads via insulated electrical feed through means members 6 14 and 6 17 leading to a volt meter 6 18 and members 6 15 and 6 16 provide electrical feed through means for the current which is measured by a meter 6 19 it is easily seen that an identical cell arrangement can be converted in function to a solid electrolyte fuel cell dc power source by uncoupling of the dc power supply 6 20 via switches 6 21 and 6 22 and coupling to an electrical load circuit 6 23 in this operation however oxygen is consumed and must be provided continuously through orifice 6 10 to electrode 6 3 which is the cathode of the fuel cell a flow of carbon monoxide fuel via orifice 6 9 over electrode 6 2 which is the anode of the fuel cell is electrochemically combusted to carbon dioxide exiting orifice 6 8 thus generating dc electrical power cathode electrodes are made from members of the group of metal electrodes.