Photochemistry and Space Power Generation

Abstract

Some of the fundamental aspects of photochemistry are reviewed with reference to the direct use of solar radiation for the initiation of chemical reactions from which power can be generated. Photoregenerative fuel cells and photogalvanic cells are denned, and they are discussed in terms of criteria of usefulness, calculations of theoretical efficiencies and limiting factors. The nitrosyl chloride system is used as an example to illustrate the theoretical calculations of efficiency and maximum power available from a solar regenerative fuel cell. The development of a fuel cell operating on nitric oxide and chlorine is reported. The competitive process of nitric oxide-chlorine recombination following the photodecomposition of nitrosyl chloride is also considered. The problem of direct energy storage in photogalvanic batteries is discussed, and some areas of research for the development of photogalvanic cells are recommended.