System and method for operating a electrified reactor

A method for controlling an electrified reactor comprising:

• receiving a baseline resistance relationship associated with a catalytic element of the electrified reactor, wherein the catalytic element comprises porous silicon carbide;
• operating the electrified reactor, comprising controlling a power source of the electrified reactor to resistively heat the catalytic element using a predetermined current density and introducing gaseous CO2 and water to the catalytic element, wherein the CO2 and water are converted to CO and H2;
• while operating the electrified reactor, measuring at least one of voltage or power of the electrified reactor;
• computing an instantaneous resistance of the catalytic element from the current density and the at least one of voltage or power;
• and
• controlling the power source based on a difference between a target resistance and the instantaneous resistance, wherein the target resistance is determined based on a baseline resistance relationship, wherein the baseline resistance relationship comprises a resistance-time relationship, wherein the target resistance comprises a steady-state resistance value based on the resistance-time relationship, wherein the resistance-time relationship comprises a resistance versus time curve measured for a test catalytic element under a set of conditions that correspond with a set of reactor operation conditions;
• wherein, while operating the electrified reactor, a temperature of the catalytic element is not directly measured using a temperature sensor.