Thermolysis reactor scale-up for pilot scale Cu[sbnd]Cl hybrid hydrogen production

Abstract

Alternative hydrogen production methods are being explored with the goal of finding efficient and economical process. The copper-chlorine (CuCl) cycle for hydrogen production has been the focus of the Clean Energy Research Laboratory (CERL) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). The CuCl cycle has lower thermal energy requirements compared to other methods and utilizes waste heat from power plants and/or industrial processes. The cycle is comprised of the electrolysis, hydrolysis and thermolysis reaction steps. Decomposition of copper oxychloride (CuOCuCl2) occurs in the thermolysis reactor at 500–530 °C. A novel thermolysis reactor design is presented here with the purpose of scaling it up to a pilot at an industrial site. Using a dual heater configuration, simulations showed decomposition temperatures were achieved between 3.5 and 4 h with 2.0 kg of CuCl as the feedstock. With 10 kg of CuCl, the reactor would reach decomposition temperatures after 10 h of heat up. Improved start-up thermal performance was observed during experiments with solidified CuCl and a reduction of startup time.