Splitting water and carbon dioxide via the heterogeneous oxidation of zinc vapor: Thermodynamic considerations

Luke J. Venstrom, Jane H Davidson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The heterogeneous hydrolysis/oxidation of zinc vapor is proposed as a promising reaction path for the exothermic step in two-step Zn/ZnO solar thermochemical water and carbon dioxide splitting cycles. This approach circumvents mass transfer limitations encountered in the oxidation of solid or liquid zinc, promising rapid hydrogen/carbon monoxide production rates and complete conversion of zinc. In this paper, a parametric thermodynamic analysis is presented to quantify the penalty of generating zinc vapor as well as the benefit of achieving complete conversion of zinc via the heterogeneous oxidation of zinc vapor. The penalty for generating zinc vapor is a reduction in water splitting efficiency from 36% to 27% and a reduction in carbon dioxide splitting efficiency from 39% to 31%. However, with heat recuperation this penalty can be avoided. The benefit of completely converting zinc via the heterogeneous oxidation of zinc vapor is an increase in efficiency from ∼6% to 27% and 31% for water and carbon dioxide splitting, respectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Pages79-88
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2010
EventASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010 - Phoenix, AZ, United States
Duration: May 17 2010May 22 2010

Publication series

NameASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Volume2

Other

OtherASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhoenix, AZ
Period5/17/105/22/10

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