Thermodynamic Analysis of Methylcyclohexane Dehydrogenation and Solar Energy Storage via Solar-Driven Hydrogen Permeation Membrane Reactor

A novel methylcyclohexane (MCH) dehydrogenation system driven by solar energy with a hydrogen permeation membrane (HPM) reactor is proposed in this study. It is a promising method, via this novel system, to generate pure hydrogen and store intermittent solar energy. In this research, the thermodynamic analysis of MCH dehydrogenation via the HPM reactor was conducted based on numerical simulation. The conversion rates and thermodynamic efficiencies under different temperatures (150–350 °C), permeate pressures from 0.001 to 0.5 bar, and solar irradiation in the four seasons were studied and analyzed. Under a hydrogen partial pressure difference, HPM can separate hydrogen and shift the reaction equilibrium forward for a higher conversion rate of MCH, which can reach nearly 99.7% in this system. The first-law of thermodynamic efficiency, the solar-to-fuel efficiency, and the exergy efficiency are up to 95.58%, 38.65%, and 94.22%, respectively. This study exhibits the feasibility and potential of MCH dehydrogenation via the HPM reactor driven by solar energy and provides a novel approach for solar energy storage.