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Open access
Date
2021-12Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
This paper reports on the numerical analysis of a volumetric solar receiver-reactor for hydrogen production, using the 2-step reduction–oxidation cycle. A detailed parametric sweep covering hundreds of various parameter combinations is performed for a large solar reactor, using a transient physical model. We generate performance maps which are currently cost prohibitive via experimental or high–fidelity simulation studies. The following performance metrics are evaluated: solar to fuel efficiency, hydrogen yield, conversion extent and specific hydrogen yield. We show that the relations between the different performance metrics are complex, leading to different optimal points depending on the metric pursued. The daily hydrogen yield for a single reactor varied between 0.89 kg for an absorber thickness of 30 mm, and up to 1.04 kg for a 60 mm thick receiver, with solar to fuel efficiency values of 3.84% and 3.81% respectively. For a case with 45 mm thick receiver, an intermediate hydrogen yield of 0.94 kg is calculated, while exhibiting the highest efficiency (4.05%). The efficiency can be further increased to 5.86% by using a simple heat recovery system, and reach an upper limit of 21.16% with a more sophisticated heat recovery method. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000498426Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Renewable EnergyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
PergamonSubject
Solar energy; Thermochemical cycles; Hydrogen generation; Solar fuelsOrganisational unit
03530 - Steinfeld, Aldo / Steinfeld, Aldo
Funding
832535 - Towards Efficient Production of Sustainable Solar Fuels (EC)
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