(546z) A Technoeconomic Analysis of the Chloralkali Process for Hydrogen Production Using Solar Energy

The economic viability of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) production of hydrogen with chlorine and sodium hydroxide as co-products is studied using H2A modelling methods. This study intends to guide research in the development of novel PEC technology optimized for hydrogen production by identifying the components of the system with the largest contribution to the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). Calculations are based on a conceptual plant designed for the production of 100 kg per day. Final LCOH is given in terms of production cost per kg of hydrogen produced [$/kg ]. The PEC cell considered in this study consists of a light absorbing material, a PDMS stabilizing coating, platinum as the reduction catalyst and DSA catalyst for chlorine production. Parameters in the H2A Model with great impact on the LCOH production are solar-to-hydrogen efficiency and the PEC cell life time which were assigned as 6% and 2 year, respectively. PEC cell replacement cost was found to be the greatest contributor to the LCOH. To mitigate for this cost, revenue obtained from the co-products, chlorine and sodium hydroxide, will be allowed to compound interest for 2 years before being invested back into the plant to pay for PEC replacement expenses.