Thermally Regenerative Hydrogen/Oxygen Fuel Cell Power Cycles

Abstract

Two thermodynamic power cycles are analytically examined for future engineering feasibility. These power cycles use a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell for electrical energy production and use the thermal dissociation of water for regeneration of the hydrogen and oxygen. The first cycle uses a thermal energy input at over 2000K to thermally dissociate the water. The second cycle dissociates the water using an electrolyzer operating at high temperature (1300K) which receives both thermal and electrical energy as inputs. The results show that while the processes and devices of the 2000K thermal system exceed current technology limits, the high temperature electrolyzer system appears to be a state-of-the-art technology development, with the requirements for very high electrolyzer and fuel cell efficiencies seen as determining the feasibility of this system.