High performance solar receiver–reactor for hydrogen generation

This paper reports on the numerical analysis of a volumetric solar receiver-reactor for hydrogen production, using 2-step reduction–oxidation cycle. A detailed parametric sweep covering hundreds various parameter combinations is performed large reactor, transient physical model. We generate performance maps which are currently cost prohibitive via experimental or high–fidelity simulation studies. The following metrics evaluated: to fuel efficiency, yield, conversion extent and specific yield. show that relations between different complex, leading optimal points depending metric pursued. daily yield single reactor varied 0.89 kg an absorber thickness 30 mm, up 1.04 60 mm thick receiver, with efficiency values 3.84% 3.81% respectively. For case 45 intermediate 0.94 calculated, while exhibiting highest (4.05%). can be further increased 5.86% by simple heat recovery system, reach upper limit 21.16% more sophisticated method.