The kinetics of hydrogen production in the oxidation of liquid zinc with water vapor

摘要

Thermochemical cycles where metal oxides are reduced and the elementary metal is reoxidized with water, thus generating hydrogen has been proposed for conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and fuels. The two steps of the cycle can be separated in time and place, thus providing also means for storage of solar energy in chemical form. The second step of these cycles involves the oxidation of the elementary metal in water vapor where hydrogen is generated and the metal oxide is recovered and recycled. Reduction of zinc oxide is a typical reaction used for such cycles. Therefore, the oxidation of liquid zinc with water, specifically, becomes an important part of such a cycle.