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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

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

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

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