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A novel design of two-step solar thermochemical system integrated with heat recovery for sustainable fuels production

Author

Listed:
  • Dang, Xiaoxiao
  • Wei, Linyang
  • Zhang, Xin
  • Ji, Wenchao
  • Sun, Shuangcheng
  • Yi, Zhi
  • Li, Guojun

Abstract

The increasingly severe energy crisis and environmental issues urgently require a global energy transformation from fossil fuels to sustainable fuels. The two-step solar thermochemical technology provides a promising path for sustainable fuel production from H2O and CO2 with concentrated solar energy. However, current solar-to-fuel efficiency is still far from commercial requirements, due to two main limiting factors: (1) severe sensible heat loss due to temperature swings between reduction and oxidation steps; (2) discontinuous utilization of solar energy during solar periods caused by alternating two-step reactions. To address this issue, a novel solar thermochemical system consisting of dual solar reactors combined with heat exchange devices is proposed in this study. This design not only enables simultaneous reduction and oxidation during solar periods for uninterrupted fuel production, but also, through the application of heat exchange devices, facilitates effective recovery of sensible heat between reduction and oxidation phases and from waste high-temperature gases and solid metal oxides, thereby reducing heat losses. Results show solar-to-fuel efficiency increases by 112%–389% compared to conventional systems, and can reach 26.07% at the reduction temperature of 1993 K. Therefore, this novel design of two-step solar thermochemical system developed in this study shows potential in the production of sustainable fuels.

Suggested Citation

  • Dang, Xiaoxiao & Wei, Linyang & Zhang, Xin & Ji, Wenchao & Sun, Shuangcheng & Yi, Zhi & Li, Guojun, 2026. "A novel design of two-step solar thermochemical system integrated with heat recovery for sustainable fuels production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:262:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126002090
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125384
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