Solar-integrated binary chemical cracking of heavy oil for efficient high-order fuel transformation and extra hydrogen storage

Abstract

Solar energy is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels (electricity and coke) for petroleum products generation. A solar-integrated binary chemical cracking of heavy oil system integrates solar energy into oil processing for carbon neutrality，in which pyrolysis and electrolysis benefit heavy oil conversion and hydrogen storage. This system has been studied in terms of solar chemical engineering, electrolyte engineering and electrode engineering. The results show improved hydrogen yield and cracking rate of heavy oil and a significant reduction in the operating temperature compared to catalytic cracking. The performance of molten salt electrolytes is as follows: binary NaOH–KOH > ternary KCl–LiCl + NaOH > ternary KCl–LiCl + NaHCO3. In electrode engineering, the electro-catalytic electrodes are in an order of Inconel 718> Ni > Incoloy 825 electrodes in the cracking rate, Ni > Inconel 718>Incoloy 825 electrodes in the hydrogen yield, and Incoloy 825>Inconel 718>Ni electrodes in the ability, for sustainable and stable efficient production.