Abstract
The disclosure describes an apparatus for hydrogen production. The apparatus comprises (a) an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode, (b) a battery comprising a positive current collector and an electrolyte compartment configured to hold an electrolyte therein and (c) a thermochemical reactor. The electrochemical cell is configured to receive a basic aqueous solution comprising zinc hydroxide and/or zincate, such that at least a portion of the cathode contacts the solution comprising the zinc hydroxide and/or zincate when it is disposed in the electrochemical cell. The apparatus further comprises a battery comprising a positive current collector and an electrolyte compartment configured to hold an electrolyte therein. The battery is configured to receive a gas comprising oxygen on the positive current collector and to receive at least a portion of the zinc produced in the electrochemical cell, such that the zinc forms an anode of the battery. The apparatus further comprises a thermochemical reactor. The thermochemical cell comprises a reaction chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the zinc metal produced in the electrochemical cell. The thermochemical cell is configured to enable the zinc metal to contact water in the reaction chamber and thereby cause a thermochemical reaction to proceed and thereby produce zinc oxide and a gas stream comprising hydrogen.