Performance Assessment Study on the Na-O-H Thermochemical Water Splitting Cycle for Hydrogen Generation

Abstract

The sodium-oxygen-hydrogen (Na-O-H) thermochemical cycle is investigated, as one of the potential methods of thermochemical water decomposition and hydrogen generation. The hydrogen production reaction, metal separation reaction, and hydrolysis reaction, forming the Na-O-H thermochemical cycle, are examined by RGibbs reactor modeling. The parameters for the three reactions are optimized in terms of hydrogen yield, pressure, temperature, and heat requirement. The metal separation reaction is carried out under vacuum pressure, while other reactions can be conducted under atmospheric pressure.