As the negative impact of the consumption of fossil fuels is being observed, the global push to alternate energy sources is becoming prevalent. Though hydrogen is set to be the clean fuel of the future, its economic production is the current issue. An attractive means of hydrogen production is the thermochemical copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) cycle. The cycle operates on the reactions of a series of copper and chlorine based chemicals and an input of water and heat to produce hydrogen and oxygen [1-3]. This cycle uses high temperature to carry out the reactions making it compatible with current means of power generation through thermal means. Hence, the cycle to produce hydrogen can be coupled with current nuclear power plants. Due to the high temperatures for operation and various corrosive chemicals used in the cycle, material selection proves to be a challenge. An experimental apparatus was designed and built in order to test materials that could be used to construct the equipment used in the cycle. The test consists of using corrosion coupons of various alloys subjected to atmospheric conditions similar to those expected during process operation.
展开▼