Solar thermal production of zinc: program strategy and status of research

A. Weidenkaff, M. Brack, S. Möller, R. Palumbo, A. Steinfeld

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The solar thermal production of zinc is considered for the conversion of solar energy into storable and transportable chemical fuels. The ultimate objective is to develop a technically and economically viable technology that can produce solar zinc. The program strategy for achieving such goal involves research in two paths: a direct path via the solar thermal splitting of ZnO, and an indirect path via the solar carbothermal and CH4-thermal reduction of ZnO. The chemical thermodynamics and kinetics for both paths are briefly reviewed. A vortex-flow solar reactor for reducing ZnO with CH4 is also described. Solar tests conducted at PSI solar furnaces in the temperature range 1000-1600 K yielded high chemical conversion to zinc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)Pr3-313 - Pr3-318
JournalJournal De Physique. IV : JP
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1998 9th SolarPaces International Symposium on Solar Thermal Concentrating Technologies,STCT 9 - Font-Romeu
Duration: Jun 22 1998Jun 26 1998

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