Objective Objectives and problems to be solved: The technical feasibility of a solar thermal chemical reactor for producing Zn from ZnO and carbon as a reducing agent in about a 0.5 MW plant is investigated for i) the production of Zn as a commodity with very low CO2 emissions and ii) the realisation of a cyclic process where Zn is produced from ZnO in a solar reactor and the Zn is used as a "solar fuel" for electricity production in Zn-air fuel cells. This work includes optimising the Zn-air fuel cells for solar Zn and optimising the interfaces between the solar reactor and the zinc-air cells. The CO2-mitigation potential for producing Zn as a commodity is assessed as well as the specific costs for producing electricity from concentrated solar light stored as Zn. Description of the work: First a 10 kW version of the solar reactor chosen for scale-up for about a 0.5 MW plant is build and tested. Quantified performance variables include the specific conversion rate of ZnO to Zn as a function of temperature and the amount of carbon as a reducing agent. The lower the specific amount of carbon the larger the fraction of stored solar energy in the products, but the more difficult is to condense the zinc without re-oxidisation. The experimental results are used to develop a numerical model that predicts performance as a function of operating conditions and to finalise the design concept for the large-scale reactor. A reactor including feeding system and off-gas handling unit for the about 0.5 MW plant is designed, constructed, and tested. The numerical model used to predict reactor performance is validated. Furthermore, a Zn-air fuel cell system suited for up scaling for small electric power plants based on Zn will be designed, build and tested. The large-scale tests are done in a 1 MW solar facility. The 10 kW tests are performed in a large solar simulator. Two industrial partners insure that the project maintains industrial viability. One has vast experience in Zn-smelting and the treatment of off-gas containing Zn vapour without major re-oxidation of the Zn: they develop the condensing unit and the off-gas treatment equipment. The Zn/air fuel cell manufacturer is responsible for optimising the cell modules for the requirements of the solar ZnO-Zn cycle. Expected Results and Exploitation Plans: A detailed economic study of the technology costs and a determination of how economically the solar process mitigates CO2 emissions and produces electricity via the ZnO-Zn cycle is conducted. The experimental, numerical, and eco-efficiency results are used to develop a conceptual design for the reactor and the other components of the ZnO-Zn cycle paving the path to a demonstration at an industrial scale. Numerous exploitation scenarios for a solar ZnO to Zn plant are studied conceptually including the option to produce H2 from Anther expected long-term benefits of the technology include the following: a reduction of CO2 emissions, a saving of fossil fuel resources, an opportunity for a nearly emission free urban transport system, and an expansion of work opportunities in the field of renewable energy. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energysolar thermalengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells Programme(s) FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.4.-6. - Key action Economic and Efficient Energy for a Competitive Europe Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EU contribution No data Address Avenue de Villeneuve 52 66860 PERPIGNAN France See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUT Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Paul Scherrer Institut 5232 VILLIGEN See on map Total cost No data SCANARC PLASMA TECHNOLOGIES AB Sweden EU contribution No data Address Vaernavaegen 7 HOFORS See on map Total cost No data SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ZUERICH Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Sonnegstrasse 3 ETH Zentrum CLT 8092 ZURICH See on map Total cost No data WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE Israel EU contribution No data Address Herzel Street 2 76100 REHOVOT See on map Total cost No data ZOXY Energy Systems AG Germany EU contribution No data Address Attenbergstrasse 23 75038 Oberderdingen See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
