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Pressure separation and gas flows in a prototype vacuum-pumped solar-thermochemical reactor

AIP Conference Proceedings

Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Orozco, Adrian S.; Grobbel, Johannes

A detailed design of pressure separation by packed columns of particles, in a solar-thermochemical reactor prototype, is presented. Results show that the concept is sound and robust under a multitude operational conditions. Straightforward control approaches, such as pumping speed and pressure adjustments, can be implemented to cover a wide range of contingencies.

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Design and construction of a cascading pressure reactor prototype for solar-thermochemical hydrogen production

AIP Conference Proceedings

Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Grobbel, Johannes G.; Singh, Abhishek S.; Lapp, Justin L.; Brendelberger, Stefan B.; Sattler, Christian S.; Whaley, Josh A.; McDaniel, Anthony H.; Siegel, Nathan S.

Recent work regarding the efficiency maximization for solar thermochemical fuel production in two step cycles has led to the design of a new type of reactor—the cascading pressure reactor—in which the thermal reduction step of the cycle is completed in multiple stages, at successively lower pressures. This approach enables lower thermal reduction pressures than in single-staged reactors, and decreases required pump work, leading to increased solar to fuel efficiencies. In this work we report on the design and construction of a prototype cascading pressure reactor and testing of some of the key components. We specifically focus on the technical challenges particular to the design, and their solutions.

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Design and construction of a cascading pressure reactor prototype for solar-thermochemical hydrogen production

AIP Conference Proceedings

Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Grobbel, Johannes; Singh, Abhishek; Lapp, Justin; Brendelberger, Stefan; Roeb, Martin; Sattler, Christian; Whaley, Josh A.; McDaniel, Anthony H.; Siegel, Nathan P.

Recent work regarding the efficiency maximization for solar thermochemical fuel production in two step cycles has led to the design of a new type of reactor - the cascading pressure reactor - in which the thermal reduction step of the cycle is completed in multiple stages, at successively lower pressures. This approach enables lower thermal reduction pressures than in single-staged reactors, and decreases required pump work, leading to increased solar to fuel efficiencies. Here we report on the design and construction of a prototype cascading pressure reactor and testing of some of the key components. We especially focus on the technical challenges particular to the design, and their solutions.

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C2R2. Compact Compound Recirculator/Recuperator for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Thermochemical Processing

Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Orozco, Adrian S.

In this report we present the development of a packed particle bed recirculator and heat exchanger. The device is intended to create countercurrent flows of packed particle beds and exchange heat between the flows. The project focused on the design, fabrication, demonstration, and modifications of a simple prototype, in order to attain high levels of heat exchange between particle flows while maintaining an effective particle conveying rate in a scalable package. Despite heat losses in a package not optimized for heat retention, 50% heat recovery was achieved, at a particle conveying efficiency of 40%.

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Maximizing Efficiency in Two-step Solar-thermochemical Fuel Production

Energy Procedia

Ermanoski, Ivan E.

Widespread solar fuel production depends on its economic viability, largely driven by the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. In this paper, the material and energy requirements in two-step solar-thermochemical cycles are considered.The need for advanced redox active materials is demonstrated, by considering the oxide mass flow requirements at a large scale. Two approaches are also identified for maximizing the efficiency: optimizing reaction temperatures, and minimizing the pressure in the thermal reduction step by staged thermal reduction. The results show that each approach individually, and especially the two in conjunction, result in significant efficiency gains.

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Maximizing Efficiency in Two-step Solar-thermochemical Fuel Production

Energy Procedia

Ermanoski, Ivan E.

Widespread solar fuel production depends on its economic viability, largely driven by the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. Herein, the material and energy requirements in two-step solar-thermochemical cyclesare considered.The need for advanced redox active materials is demonstrated, by considering the oxide mass flow requirements at a large scale. Two approaches are also identified for maximizing the efficiency: optimizing reaction temperatures, and minimizing the pressure in the thermal reduction step by staged thermal reduction. The results show that each approach individually, and especially the two in conjunction, result in significant efficiency gains.

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Final LDRD report :

Ambrosini, Andrea A.; Allendorf, Mark D.; Coker, Eric N.; Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Hogan, Roy E.; McDaniel, Anthony H.

Despite rapid progress, solar thermochemistry remains high risk; improvements in both active materials and reactor systems are needed. This claim is supported by studies conducted both prior to and as part of this project. Materials offer a particular large opportunity space as, until recently, very little effort apart from basic thermodynamic analysis was extended towards understanding this most fundamental component of a metal oxide thermochemical cycle. Without this knowledge, system design was hampered, but more importantly, advances in these crucial materials were rare and resulted more from intuition rather than detailed insight. As a result, only two basic families of potentially viable solid materials have been widely considered, each of which has significant challenges. Recent efforts towards applying an increased level of scientific rigor to the study of thermochemical materials have provided a much needed framework and insights toward developing the next generation of highly improved thermochemically active materials. The primary goal of this project was to apply this hard-won knowledge to rapidly advance the field of thermochemistry to produce a material within 2 years that is capable of yielding CO from CO2 at a 12.5 % reactor efficiency. Three principal approaches spanning a range of risk and potential rewards were pursued: modification of known materials, structuring known materials, and identifying/developing new materials for the application. A newly developed best-of-class material produces more fuel (9x more H2, 6x more CO) under milder conditions than the previous state of the art. Analyses of thermochemical reactor and system efficiencies and economics were performed and a new hybrid concept was reported. The larger case for solar fuels was also further refined and documented.

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Reimagining liquid transportation fuels : sunshine to petrol

Allendorf, Mark D.; Staiger, Chad S.; Ambrosini, Andrea A.; Chen, Ken S.; Coker, Eric N.; Dedrick, Daniel E.; Hogan, Roy E.; Ermanoski, Ivan E.; Johnson, Terry A.; McDaniel, Anthony H.

Two of the most daunting problems facing humankind in the twenty-first century are energy security and climate change. This report summarizes work accomplished towards addressing these problems through the execution of a Grand Challenge LDRD project (FY09-11). The vision of Sunshine to Petrol is captured in one deceptively simple chemical equation: Solar Energy + xCO{sub 2} + (x+1)H{sub 2}O {yields} C{sub x}H{sub 2x+2}(liquid fuel) + (1.5x+.5)O{sub 2} Practical implementation of this equation may seem far-fetched, since it effectively describes the use of solar energy to reverse combustion. However, it is also representative of the photosynthetic processes responsible for much of life on earth and, as such, summarizes the biomass approach to fuels production. It is our contention that an alternative approach, one that is not limited by efficiency of photosynthesis and more directly leads to a liquid fuel, is desirable. The development of a process that efficiently, cost effectively, and sustainably reenergizes thermodynamically spent feedstocks to create reactive fuel intermediates would be an unparalleled achievement and is the key challenge that must be surmounted to solve the intertwined problems of accelerating energy demand and climate change. We proposed that the direct thermochemical conversion of CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O to CO and H{sub 2}, which are the universal building blocks for synthetic fuels, serve as the basis for this revolutionary process. To realize this concept, we addressed complex chemical, materials science, and engineering problems associated with thermochemical heat engines and the crucial metal-oxide working-materials deployed therein. By project's end, we had demonstrated solar-driven conversion of CO{sub 2} to CO, a key energetic synthetic fuel intermediate, at 1.7% efficiency.

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41 Results
41 Results