Progress in thermochemical hydrogen production with the copper–chlorine cycle

Abstract

Recent advances are reported by an international team on research and development of the copper chlorine (Cu–Cl) cycle for thermochemical hydrogen production. New experimental and numerical results are given for several processes of the cycle. Experimental results for CuCl/HCl electrolysis and integration of unit operations in the Cu–Cl cycle are presented. A new solubility model for the CuCl–CuCl2–HCl–H2O quaternary system is presented, which optimizes the cupric chloride selective precipitation prior to the hydrolysis reactor. Also, recent progress on photo-electrochemical cell development for enhancement of the electrolysis process is reported along with its integration with a concentrated solar radiation system.