CFD simulation and development of an improved photoelectrochemical reactor for H 2 production

Farivar, Foad

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.11.045

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…This effect could be exploited by operating in this minimum region. It is important to note that this loss minimum is not observed with Bulter-Volmer/Tafel type kinetics which have been previously used to study electrode substrate distribution 37,38 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The gold would be deposited in thin lines in a manner similar to back contacts in the photo-voltaic field. This methodology has received very little attention in the field of photo-electrochemistry (briefly discussed by Farivar 38 and demonstrated by Lee et al 61 ), although this methodology has been previously demonstrated for dye sensitised solar cells 62,63 and thin film solar cell modules 34 . For highly nano-structured photo-anodes, the highly conductive material could come into contact with the electrolyte and hence could be oxidised through participation in electrochemical reaction, thus not many materials would be suitable.…”

Section: Improve Substrate Conductivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The previous modelling work by Carver et al 37 suggested that an area of 5 × 10 −4 m 2 (which equates to a square of 2.2 cm side length) will lead to a significant current loss. This work was built on by Farivar 38 who came to similar conclusions and suggested implementation of gold back contact in order to circumvent this area restriction. Both models employ a Tafel type current-potential relationship, which being exponential differs significantly from the typical photo-current response.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Assessing the scalability of low conductivity substrates for photo-electrodesviamodelling of resistive losses

Holmes-Gentle

Agarwal

Alhersh

et al. 2018

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

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When scaling up photo-electrochemical processes to larger areas than conventionally studied in the laboratory, substrate performance must be taken into consideration and in this work, a methodology to assess this via an uncomplicated 2 dimensional model is outlined. It highlights that for F-doped SnO2 (FTO), which is ubiquitously used for metal oxide photoanodes, substrate performance becomes significant for moderately sized electrodes (5 cm) under no solar concentration for state of the art Fe2O3 thin films. It is demonstrated that when the process is intensified via solar concentration, current losses become quickly limiting. Methodologies to reduce the impact of substrate ohmic losses are discussed and a new strategy is proposed. Due to the nature of the photo-electrode current-potential relationship, operation at a higher potential where the photo-current saturates (before the dark current is observed) will lead to a minimum in current loss due to substrate performance. Crucially, this work outlines an additional challenge in scaling up photo-electrodes based on low conductivity substrates, and establishes that such challenges are not insurmountable.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Improve Substrate Conductivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Assessing the scalability of low conductivity substrates for photo-electrodesviamodelling of resistive losses

Holmes-Gentle

Agarwal

Alhersh

et al. 2018

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

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“…It simulates the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions [27]. This method has already been used to simulate photo-electrochemical reactors for hydrogen production [28], and other types of fuel cells, such as solid oxide [29] or redox cells [30]. Multiphase problems can also be dealt with in CFD simulations, and they allow bubbles inside a liquid medium to be simulated [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrodynamics and Oxygen Bubble Characterization of Catalytic Cells Used in Artificial Photosynthesis by Means of CFD

Torras

Lorente

Hernández

et al. 2017

Fluids

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Miniaturized cells can be used in photo-electrochemistry to perform water splitting. The geometry, process variables and removal of oxygen bubbles in these cells need to be optimized. Bubbles tend to remain attached to the catalytic surface, thus blocking the reaction, and they therefore need to be dragged out of the cell. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations have been carried out to assess the design of miniaturized cells and their results have been compared with experimental results. It has been found that low liquid inlet velocities (~0.1 m/s) favor the homogeneous distribution of the flow. Moderate velocities (0.5-1 m/s) favor preferred paths. High velocities (~2 m/s) lead to turbulent behavior of the flow, but avoid bubble coalescence and help to drag the bubbles. Gravity has a limited effect at this velocity. Finally, channeled cells have also been analyzed and they allow a good flow distribution, but part of the catalytic area could be lost. The here presented results can be used as guidelines for the optimum design of photocatalytic cells for the water splitting reaction for the production of solar fuels, such as H 2 or other CO 2 reduction products (i.e., CO, CH 4 , among others).

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“…Farivar [13], developed dual chamber photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactor for water splitting systems. He tested different geometries to have a uniform flow with minimum recirculation zones inside the photoreactor chamber, and proved with simulation results that by increasing the current density the hydrogen production rate increases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of hydrogen production system with hybrid solar collector

Omar

Altınışık

2016

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

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CFD simulation and development of an improved photoelectrochemical reactor for H 2 production

Cited by 14 publications

References 15 publications

Assessing the scalability of low conductivity substrates for photo-electrodesviamodelling of resistive losses

Assessing the scalability of low conductivity substrates for photo-electrodesviamodelling of resistive losses

Hydrodynamics and Oxygen Bubble Characterization of Catalytic Cells Used in Artificial Photosynthesis by Means of CFD

Simulation of hydrogen production system with hybrid solar collector

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