Optimization of Inert Gas Feeding Strategy in a Fixed-Bed Reactor for Efficient Water Splitting Via Solar-Driven Thermal Reduction of Nonstoichiometric CeO2

Song Yang, Bo Wang, Peter D. Lund, Jun Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, a solar-driven reduction process of nonstoichiometric cerium oxide in a fixed bed is optimized for efficient water splitting via metal-oxide-based redox cycling. Nitrogen is used as sweeping gas to scavenge oxygen from the beds during the reduction process. A transient lumped heat transfer model is developed for the simulation of the process. Parametric analysis and genetic algorithm are used to find the optimal N-2 flow rate and establish a novel N-2 feeding strategy with variable flow to maximize the thermal efficiency for water splitting. An efficiency close to 13% is estimated without solid-phase heat recovery, which is more than twice that of the best present experimental systems (similar to 5%). The results are regarded preliminary as a thermodynamic analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number051008
Number of pages11
JournalJOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING: TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
Volume144
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • solar thermochemistry
  • water splitting
  • nonstoichiometry
  • cerium oxide
  • genetic algorithm
  • hydrogen
  • solar reactor
  • thermodynamics
  • HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION
  • THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS
  • PHASE RELATIONSHIPS
  • FUEL PRODUCTION
  • REDOX CYCLES
  • CERIA
  • CO2
  • DECOMPOSITION
  • HEAT
  • H2O

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