Solar power for thermochemical production of hydrogen

A system comprising:

• a low temperature thermochemical system using a copper chloride thermochemical cycle for producing hydrogen with a maximum reaction temperature of about 530° C.;
• a molten salt heat transfer medium for providing thermal energy to the low temperature thermochemical system;
• and
• a solar receiver for heating the heat transfer medium;
• wherein the copper chloride thermochemical cycle for producing hydrogen comprises the following set of chemical reactions and reaction temperatures:
• 2Cu(s)+2HCl(l)=2CuCl(l)+H2(g) at a temperature of between about 430° C. to about 475° C.;
• 2CuCl(s)=2CuCl2(aq)+2Cu at a temperature of between about 25° C. to about 75° C.;
• 2CuCl2(s)+H2O(g)=CuO*CuCl2(s)+2HCl(g) at a temperature of between about 350° C. to 400° C.;
• and
• CuO*CuCl2(s)=2CuCl(l)+½O2(g) at a temperature of about 530° C.

A method comprising:

• capturing solar energy from sunlight;
• heating a heat transfer medium with the solar energy;
• transporting the heat transfer medium to a hydrogen and oxygen production system;
• and
• generating hydrogen and oxygen with the hydrogen and oxygen production system with a maximum reaction temperature of about 530° C.;
• wherein the hydrogen and oxygen production system is a copper chloride thermochemical cycle comprising the following set of chemical reactions and reaction temperatures:
• 2Cu(s)+2HCl(l)=2CuCl(l)+H2(g) at a temperature of between about 430° C. to about 475° C.;
• 2CuCl(s)=2CuCl2(aq)+2Cu at a temperature of between about 25° C. to about 75° C.;
• 2CuCl2(s)+H2O(g)=CuO*CuCl2(s)+2HCl(g) at a temperature of between about 350° C. to 400° C.;
• and
• CuO*CuCl2(s)=2CuCl(l)+½O2(g) at a temperature of about 530° C.