Exergoeconomic analysis of a thermochemical copper–chlorine cycle for hydrogen production using specific exergy cost (SPECO) method

Abstract The manner is investigated in which exergy-related parameters can be used to minimize the cost of a copper–chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production. The iterative optimization technique presented requires a minimum of available data and provides effective assistance in optimizing thermal systems, particularly in dealing with complex systems and/or cases where conventional optimization techniques cannot be applied. The principles of thermoeconomics, as embodied in the specific exergy cost (SPECO) method, are used here to determine changes in the design parameters of the cycle that improve the cost effectiveness of the overall system. The methodology provides a reasonable approach for improving the cost effectiveness of the Cu–Cl cycle, despite the fact that it is still in development. It is found that the cost rate of exergy destruction varies between $1 and $15 per kilogram of hydrogen and the exergoeconomic factor between 0.5 and 0.02 as the cost of hydrogen rises from $20 to $140 per GJ of hydrogen energy. The hydrogen cost is inversely related to the exergoeconomic factor, plant capacity and exergy efficiency. The results are expected to assist ongoing efforts to increase the economic viability and to reduce product costs of potential commercial versions of this process. The impact of the results are anticipated to be significant since thermochemical water splitting with a copper–chlorine cycle is a promising process that could be linked with nuclear reactors to produce hydrogen with no greenhouse gases emissions, and thereby help mitigate numerous energy and environment concerns.

[1]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Energy and exergy analyses of the drying step of a copper-chlorine thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production , 2009 .

[2]  G. Naterer,et al.  Cost analysis of a thermochemical Cu–Cl pilot plant for nuclear-based hydrogen production , 2008 .

[3]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis of glycol cold thermal energy storage systems , 2008 .

[4]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  The oxygen production step of a copper–chlorine thermochemical water decomposition cycle for hydrogen production: Energy and exergy analyses , 2009 .

[5]  E Yantovski,et al.  Exergonomics in education , 2000 .

[6]  George Tsatsaronis,et al.  Exergy-aided cost minimization , 1997 .

[7]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  An exergy–cost–energy–mass analysis of a hybrid copper–chlorine thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production , 2010 .

[8]  Greg F. Naterer,et al.  Thermochemical hydrogen production with a copper-chlorine cycle. I: oxygen release from copper oxychloride decomposition , 2008 .

[9]  Ho-Young Kwak,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis of thermal systems , 1998 .

[10]  I. Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of the copper production step in a copper-chlorine cycle for hydrogen production , 2008 .

[11]  Ricardo Rivero,et al.  Exergy and exergoeconomic analysis of a crude oil combined distillation unit , 2004 .

[12]  George Tsatsaronis,et al.  Exergoeconomic Evaluation of a KRW-Based IGCC Power Plant , 1994 .

[13]  Ayoub Kazim,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis of a PEM electrolyser at various operating temperatures and pressures , 2005 .

[14]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Exergy-cost-energy-mass analysis of thermal systems and processes , 2003 .

[15]  Q. L. Chen,et al.  A new exergoeconomic approach for analysis and optimization of energy systems , 1997 .

[16]  Tahar Khir,et al.  Application of Exergoeconomic Techniques to the Optimization of a Refrigeration Evaporator Coil With Continuous Fins , 2007 .

[17]  I. Dincer,et al.  Energy and exergy analyses of the fluidized bed of a copper–chlorine cycle for nuclear-based hydrogen production via thermochemical water decomposition , 2009 .

[18]  Arif Hepbasli,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis of a combined heat and power (CHP) system , 2008 .

[19]  Greg F. Naterer,et al.  Thermochemical hydrogen production with a copper–chlorine cycle, II: Flashing and drying of aqueous cupric chloride , 2008 .

[20]  I. Dincer,et al.  Energy and exergy assessments of the hydrogen production step of a copper–chlorine thermochemical water splitting cycle driven by nuclear-based heat , 2008 .

[21]  Manuel E. Cruz,et al.  Mathematical exergoeconomic optimization of a complex cogeneration plant aided by a professional process simulator , 2006 .

[22]  George Tsatsaronis,et al.  Exergoeconomic estimates for a novel zero-emission process generating hydrogen and electric power , 2008 .

[23]  Mehmet Kanoglu,et al.  Exergetic and thermoeconomic analyses of diesel engine powered cogeneration: Part 1 – Formulations , 2009 .

[24]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Recent Canadian advances in nuclear-based hydrogen production and the thermochemical Cu–Cl cycle , 2009 .

[25]  Dong Qi-wu,et al.  Exergoeconomic Analysis of Heat Exchanger Networks for Optimum Minimum Approach Temperature , 2008 .

[26]  Haydar Aras,et al.  Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Combined Heat and Power System with the Micro Gas Turbine (MGTCHP) , 2008 .

[27]  Qinglin Chen,et al.  Exergoeconomic methodology for analysis and optimization of process systems , 2000 .