(443b) Integrated Thermochemical Water-Splitting Reactor Fuel Cell System for Electricity Generation

A continuous thermochemical water-splitting reactor for hydrogen generation has been developed and integrated with a fuel cell for electricity generation. To perform a water-splitting reaction, ferrite materials were synthesized inside a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate using a sol-gel technique. These materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and BET surface area analyzer. In particular, Li-based ferrite materials were immobilized onto a porous YSZ substrate and loaded inside a continuous water-splitting reactor where both regeneration and water-splitting steps were performed at lower temperatures. Hydrogen and oxygen were continuously monitored and recorded using the online sensors interfaced with a computer. The outlet from a continuous thermochemical water-splitting reactor is integrated with a hydrogen fuel cell module. The fuel cell current was continuously recorded and analyzed at different load conditions. The power output and fuel cell or stack current were analyzed at different hydrogen production rates. The results obtained on the characterization of ferrite materials, hydrogen volume generation and the electricity generation will be presented.