(599i) H2 Production Via Ferrite Based H2O Splitting Cycle: Solar Reactor Thermodynamic Efficiency Analysis

Ferrite based thermochemical splitting of H₂O is considered as one of the promising options for the production of H2. A variety of ferrites such as Ni-ferrite, Co-ferrite, Zn-ferrite, Mn-ferrite, Ni-Zn-ferrite, Ni-Mn-ferrite, and others are investigated heavily towards solar thermochemical H₂ generation. Several researchers investigated the effects of synthesis methods, water splitting temperature, thermal reduction temperatures, different reactor arrangements, addition of grain growth inhibitors (mixing and coating approach) and others on ferrite based water-splitting cycle. In addition to the experimental investigations, to compare with other metal oxide based thermochemical cycles, it is highly essential to estimate the solar to fuel conversion efficiency of the ferrite based thermochemical H₂O splitting cycle. In this paper, a thorough thermodynamic scrutiny of solar H₂ production via ferrite based H₂O splitting cycle is performed using HSC Chemistry 7.1. Effect of partial pressure of O₂ in the inert gas (N₂), thermal reduction temperature and water splitting temperature on equilibrium compositions and thermodynamic efficiency of the ferrite based H₂O splitting cycle is investigated. The obtained results are compared with the previously studied MO based thermochemical H2O Splitting cycles.