GreenH2 production from water and bioalcohols by full solar spectrum in a flow reactor

Introduction

Water splitting for H2 production driven by solar energy is quite attractive while the current efficiency is very moderate due to both the extremely sluggish water oxidation half-reaction and limited light harvesting (mostly UV-visible light). In addition, the separation of one product H2 from the other O2 during water splitting is very costly.

Project Objectives

The project is designed to address these challenges by:

1. Utilizing the full solar spectrum (300-2500nm) instead of UV-visible light (300-700nm).
2. Coupling water splitting with biomass-derivative oxidation to avoid water oxidation.
3. Well combining solid Z-scheme UV-visible photocatalysis and Infrared-driven thermal catalysis.
4. Using a flow double tube reactor instead of batch reactors, thus targeting to produce green H2 from both water and biomass with a high quantum yield of 60%.

Co-Production of Chemicals

Furthermore, the project will co-produce high-value chemicals with a high selectivity of >90%.

Catalyst Integration

In addition, the integration of low-cost and efficient catalysts with novel flow reactors will assure a continuous and efficient production of H2 and high-value chemicals.

Environmental Impact

The entire process does not use fossil fuels nor produce CO2, thus representing a zero carbon-emission technology.

Scalability

Finally, the system can be readily scaled up by numbering up the reactor modules.

Consortium and Expertise

All these are built upon a multidisciplinary and international consortium with global experts in:

• Photocatalysis
• Thermal catalysis
• Reactor engineering
• Product separation
• Simulation
• Social science

Therefore, the scientific and technical challenges, as well as the environmental, societal, and economic impacts, will be fully addressed in the project.

Economic Benefits

The proposed technology will typically benefit the EU economy by providing an innovative green H2 production process from water and biomass, heavily contributing to a low carbon society. In addition, the international team, including members from Asia, will facilitate the technology exploitation outside of the EU, further benefiting the EU economy.