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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Thermochemical processes for solar hydrogen production

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5164484

The use of solar energy to produce hydrogen from water is an attractive concept that merits a continuing research and development effort. The base technology being developed for solar thermal power can be applied effectively in the production of hydrogen from water. Hydrogen production could be based on advanced water electrolysis and economic solar hydrogen become an eventual reality even if advanced processes do not prove to be feasible. Thermochemical cycles for decomposing water promise higher efficiencies if cycles can be developed that match the characteristics of solar heat sources. At present, cycles based on sulfuric acid are the most fully developed processes and they can be adapted to solar thermal systems and serve as standards of comparison for new cycles as they are discovered and developed. Advanced cycles based on solids decomposition reactions should interface advantageously with solar thermal systems and several cycles based on such reactions are under experimental evaluation.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
5164484
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-82-1895; CONF-8205112-1; ON: DE82019575
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English