Thermodynamic exergy analysis of dysprosium oxide-based solar thermochemical water-splitting cycle

Abstract

The effect of water splitting temperature on the parameters required for the design of solar thermal reactor to conduct the dysprosium oxide based water splitting (Dy-WS) cycle was investigated by using the HSC Chemistry software. The effect of water splitting temperature on the absorption efficiency of the solar reactor, net solar energy required to run the Dy-WS cycle, re-radiation heat losses from the solar reactor, heat rejected by different coolers and water splitting reactor involved in this cycle, and solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency with and without heat recuperation was explored. Obtained results indicate that the Dy-WS cycle carried out by using the thermal reduction temperature = 2280 K and water splitting temperature = 1000 K yields into solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency = 10.3%. This efficiency can be increased up to 14.62% by employing heat recuperation (50%).