Thermoelectrochemical cycles for power and hydrogen production. [Regenerative H/sub 2/--O/sub 2/ or H/sub 2/--Cl/sub 2/ fuel cell cycle based on high-temperature electrolysis]

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6429796

Steinberg, M

Based on electrochemical mechanisms a new power cycle for converting thermal to electrical energy is presented. The cycle is referred to as the thermoelectrochemical (TEC) power cycle. The general principle involves combining the electrochemical decomposition of a compound to its elements at a condition where the free energy change is low with the recombination of the same or a different compound from its elements at a condition where the free energy change is high. The difference in free energies gives a net difference in electromotive force which results in a net power output for the system. The power cycle combines the operation of an electrolyzer at a high temperature low emf condition, with a fuel cell at a low temperature high emf condition. The thermal energy is used to provide the high level heat in the electrolyzer while the low level heat is rejected in the fuel cell. Heat is thus converted to DC electricity. Ideal power cycle efficiencies are equal to the Carnot efficiency for non-condensing systems. The principles are illustrated with a H/sub 2/--O/sub 2/--H/sub 2/O system and with a H/sub 2/--O/sub 2/--Cl/sub 2/--HCl system. Other cycles are described. The benefits of the TEC cycle is that it produces electricity from thermal energy with no moving parts and at moderate pressures, potentially making this sytem mechanically a highly reliable one. The high temperature material stability problem must be balanced against the increased thermal efficiency of the power cycle. TEC may have especially suitable applications for the production of electrometals, (Al and Cu), electrochemicals and synthetic fuels because of the direct use of the DC current generated in the cycle. It is recommended that these systems be further developed and evaluated.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-02-0016
• OSTI ID: 6429796
• Report Number(s): BNL-24387; CONF-780807-12
• Resource Relation: Conference: 2. world hydrogen energy conference, Zurich, Switzerland, 21 Aug 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
08 HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
DESIGN
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
ELECTROLYSIS
REGENERATIVE FUEL CELLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINE
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
ENTHALPY
ENTROPY
FREE ENERGY
HEAT SOURCES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROGEN GENERATORS
OPERATION
OXYGEN
THERMODYNAMICS
WATER
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
FLUIDS
FUEL CELLS
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
080101 - Hydrogen- Production- Electrolysis