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U.S. Department of Energy
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Thermochemical hydrogen production. Annual report for 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6565922

In 1979, chemical cycle development for water splitting to produce hydrogen and oxygen was advanced through research on technically promising sequences of thermochemical and electrochemical reactions. One of the reaction sequences or cycles is based on copper oxide and sulfate chemistry, a similar one uses zinc chemistry, and one is a solar energy cycle that uses cadmium chemistry. The most promising copper cycle was demonstrated in the laboratory with recycled materials, and the zinc sulfate cycle was improved in energy efficiency through a procedure that decreases thermal separation requirements. The electrochemical step of the cadmium cycle achieved efficient operation at low voltage potentials. An analysis of the interfacing of primary heat sources with thermochemical or thermoelectrochemical hydrogen production processes was performed. Also accomplished was a study assessing the impacts of materials development for thermochemical water-splitting cycles.

Research Organization:
Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6565922
Report Number(s):
PB-80-210776
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English