Syngas production by thermochemical conversion of CO2 and H2O mixtures using a high-temperature heat pipe based reactor

The design of a new high-temperature, solar-based reactor for thermochemical production of syngas using water and carbon dioxide will be discussed. The reactor incorporates the use of high-temperature heat pipe(s) that efficiently transfer the heat from a solar collector to a porous metal oxide material. Special attention is given to the thermal characteristics of the reactor, which are key factors affecting the overall system efficiency and amount of fuel produced. The thermochemical cycle that is considered is that for ceria based material. Preliminary data acquired from an early stage reactor, operated at temperatures up to 1100oC, is presented and efforts are now underway to increase the operating temperature of the reactor to 1300oC to further increase the efficiency of the thermochemical fuel production process.