Thermodynamic Analysis of a Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Based Integrated System for Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen production via thermochemical water splitting using the Cu-Cl cycle is a promising alternative to conventional hydrogen production method. Multi-generation systems are often attractive due to their higher energy and exergy efficiencies than individual cycles (e.g. steam or gas turbine cycles). An increase in efficiency often allows, for the same output, less resources (or exergy) to be used. This, in return, reduces the extraction from the environment of energy resources (e.g. fossil fuels), and decreases the associated environmental impacts. In this study, a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of a Cu-Cl based integrated system for hydrogen production is reported. The system considered here is developed to produce electricity, hydrogen, cooling loads. Hot water, drying air and oxygen are also by-products of the system. The main sub-units of the system are the Cu-Cl cycle, heliostat solar thermal tower, steam turbine cycle, gas turbine cycle and LiBr-H2O absorption refrigeration system. Hydrogen is produced using the Cu-Cl thermochemical cycle. The energy efficiency of the system is found to be approximately 56%, while the exergy efficiency is approximately 51%. Parametric studies for various operating conditions are also presented.