Exergetic, Exergoeconomic and Exergoenvironmental Assessments of Chlorine Family Thermochemical Cycles: A Parametric Study

Abstract

Hydrogen is an integral component of the net zero policies around the globe due to the several advantages it offers and is highly rated as a fuel of the future. In this regard, clean and sustainable hydrogen production technologies are among the most studied topics by researchers in recent times. Thermochemical hydrogen production is a promising route for obtaining clean hydrogen. In this context, this study serves as a continuation of the investigations carried out by the authors concerning thermochemical hydrogen production through chlorine family cycles. This study presents a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the various system variables that significantly impact the overall performance of the considered processes. Herein, the performance of the chlorine family thermochemical cycles is examined from the exergetic, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental viewpoints. The exergetic performance parameters include the net thermal exergies and exergy efficiencies, the exergoeconomic performance parameters include the hourly levelized and total cost rates, and the exergoenvironmental performance parameters include the exergoenvironmental factors and component-associated environmental impact rates. The considered system variables include the ambient temperature, lifetime, annual hours of operation, and operation and maintenance cost factor.

Keywords: Hydrogen, Sustainability, exergetic, Exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental, Sensitivity analysis