AUTHOR=Yang Song , Li Lifeng , Wang Bo , Li Sha , Wang Jun , Lund Peter , Lipiński Wojciech TITLE=Thermodynamic Analysis of a Conceptual Fixed-Bed Solar Thermochemical Cavity Receiver–Reactor Array for Water Splitting Via Ceria Redox Cycling JOURNAL=Frontiers in Energy Research VOLUME=9 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/energy-research/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.565761 DOI=10.3389/fenrg.2021.565761 ISSN=2296-598X ABSTRACT=

We propose a novel solar thermochemical receiver–reactor array concept for hydrogen production via ceria redox cycling. The receiver–reactor array can improve the solar-to-fuel efficiency by realizing the heat recuperation, reduction, and oxidation processes synchronously. A linear matrix model and a lumped parameter model are developed to predict thermal performance of the new solar thermochemical system. The system thermal performance is characterized by heat recovery effectiveness of solid-phase and solar-to-fuel efficiency. Investigated parameters include reduction temperature, oxygen partial pressure, number of receiver–reactors, concentration ratio, and gas-phase heat recovery effectiveness. For baseline conditions, the solid-phase heat recovery effectiveness and the solar-to-fuel efficiency are found to be 81% and 27%, respectively. For perfect gas-phase heat recovery and a solar concentration ratio of 5,000, the solar-to-fuel efficiency exceeds 40%.