A review on hydrogen production thermochemical water-splitting cycles

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 275; p. 123836
• Main Authors: Mehrpooya, Mehdi, Habibi, Roghayeh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Energy and exergy efficiency; Hydrogen production; Thermal and power load; Thermochemical cycle; Thermochemical cycle; Hydrogen production; Thermal and power load; Energy and exergy efficiency
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123836

Hydrogen is an energy carrier and thermochemical cycles are a sustainable and benign method for hydrogen production. This study reviews and investigates thermochemical hydrogen production cycles by detail. Promising cycles, namely Sulfur–Iodine, Copper–Chlorine, Magnesium–Chlorine, Iron–Chlorine and Vanadium–Chlorine, and a recently developed Zinc–Sulfur–Iodine cycle are discussed here. Process flow diagram of each cycle is presented along with its pros and cons. Finally, the cycles are compared in terms of thermal and power load, energy and exergy efficiency and cost of the hydrogen production. The results show that the lowest cost, highest energy and exergy efficiencies with the value of 1.77$/Kg, 57%, 78.21%, belongs to geothermal based 4-step Cu-Cl, 3-step Cu-Cl in the first option and open-loop Zn-S-I, respectively. Also, in terms of external heat required in the cycle, Zn-S-I cycle has the highest and Mg-Cl cycle has the lowest value. Mg-Cl also has the highest power load. [Display omitted] •Thermochemical water splitting cycles for hydrogen production are reviewed.•SI, Copper-Chlorine, Magnesium-Chlorine, Iron-Chlorine and Vanadium-Chlorine, Zn-SI cycle are evaluated.•The lowest cost and highest energy efficiency belong to geothermal based 4-step Cu-Cl.