Solar thermochemical plant analysis for hydrogen production with the copper–chlorine cycle

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 35; no. 16; pp. 8511 - 8520
• Main Authors: Ghandehariun, S., Naterer, G.F., Dincer, I., Rosen, M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Fused salts; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogen storage; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Solar energy; Storage units; Thermochemical copper–chlorine cycle; Winter; Canada; North America; America; Hydrogen production; Solar energy; Thermochemical copper–chlorine cycle; Costs; Thermochemical copper-chlorine; Chlorine; Hydrogen; cycle; Molten salt; Binary mixture; Thermochemical cycle; Storage; Chemical decomposition; Feasibility; Thermal efficiency; Copper; Energy storage
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.05.028

In this article, a solar-based method of generating hydrogen from the copper–chlorine water-splitting cycle is developed and evaluated. An analysis is performed for solar plants with different hydrogen production capacities at three locations across Canada. Operating parameters of the solar field and the storage units are presented. The thermal efficiency and cost parameters of the hydrogen plant are also examined. A binary mixture of 60% NaNO 3 and 40% KNO 3 is used as the molten salt for solar energy storage. Different hydrogen production rates are analyzed. Since the solar irradiation in Calgary is much less than Toronto and Sarnia in the winter, it is found that a larger storage unit is required. The size of the storage unit increases for larger hydrogen production rates. The results support the feasibility of solar thermochemical Cu–Cl cycle as a promising and efficient pathway for large-scale production of hydrogen.