(NG, oil, coal) Optional CO2/C

Solar thermochemical processes for the production of fuels make use of concentrated solar radiation as the energy source of high-temperature process heat. Considered are water-splitting thermochemical cycles based on metal oxide redox reactions at above 2000 K, and reforming/gasification/decomposition processes for the thermal decarbonization of fossil fuels at above 1500 K [1]. These are depicted in Figure 1. A Second-Law analysis indicates the inherent thermodynamic advantage for efficiently storing intermittent solar energy into chemical fuels via high-temperature endothermic processes, and the potential of avoiding greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants in the production of hydrogen, syngas, and other synthetic fuels. DecarbonizationH2O-splittin