A Systematic Approach towards the Synthesis and Evaluation of Hybrid Alternative Thermochemical Cycles

Here we expand on our previous work, a process systems engineering-based methodology for the initial evaluation of alternative thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production. Modifications in the identification algorithm are made to include thermochemical cycles with electrochemical steps, referred to as hybrid cycles, in the reaction cluster search space. The new formulation is demonstrated with a case study on the hybrid copper-chlorine thermochemical cycle. Results from our systematic evaluation suggest the proposed methodology is robust over a wide range of temperatures and candidate species. In this case study, we provide hybrid cycles with estimated base efficiencies of up to 36%.