Thermochemical Water Decomposition Research Articles

Hydrogenoxygen closed cycle MHD power generation system based upon thermochemical decomposition of water

A new closed cycle energy conversion system in which an MHD generator operates on hydrogen and oxygen produced from water by means of multi-step thermochemical decomposition processes is proposed. It is shown that the MHD generator and the thermochemical decomposer can be combined effectively in the power generation process and that the conversion of nuclear heat available from already existing reactors into electricity can be done at efficiencies close to the Carnot efficiency. Overall thermal efficiencies higher than 50 per cent can be achieved if the thermochemical decomposer operates at efficiencies higher than about 50 per cent. The operating conditions for the thermochemical decomposer in the proposed system are favorable for it to attain such high decomposition efficiencies.