| Abstract: | Hybrid thermochemical water splitting cycles are provided in which
thermally reduced metal oxides particles are used to displace some but
not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic
cell. In these hybrid cycles, the thermal reduction temperature is
significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical
cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from
water. Also, unlike the conventional higher temperature cycles where the
reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the
reduction step in the proposed hybrid cycles can be carried out in air,
allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless,
cavity receiver. |