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EP1774060A2 - Systeme photoelectrochimique - Google Patents

Systeme photoelectrochimique

Info

Publication number
EP1774060A2
EP1774060A2 EP05744959A EP05744959A EP1774060A2 EP 1774060 A2 EP1774060 A2 EP 1774060A2 EP 05744959 A EP05744959 A EP 05744959A EP 05744959 A EP05744959 A EP 05744959A EP 1774060 A2 EP1774060 A2 EP 1774060A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrolyte
hydrogen
cell
electrode
operable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05744959A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Julian Martin c/o Hydrogen Solar Limited KEABLE
Davi Hugh c/o Hydrogen Solar Limited AUTY
Andrew c/o Hydrogen Solar Limited STEVENSON
John c/o E-Synergy Limited WHITE
Scott c/o Hydrogen Solar Limited VOORHEES
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hydrogen Solar Production Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Hydrogen Solar Production Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0411066A external-priority patent/GB2414243A/en
Application filed by Hydrogen Solar Production Co Ltd filed Critical Hydrogen Solar Production Co Ltd
Publication of EP1774060A2 publication Critical patent/EP1774060A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/50—Processes
    • C25B1/55—Photoelectrolysis
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
    • H01G9/00—Electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices; Processes of their manufacture
    • H01G9/20—Light-sensitive devices
    • H01G9/2027—Light-sensitive devices comprising an oxide semiconductor electrode
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/542—Dye sensitized solar cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/10—Process efficiency
    • Y02P20/133—Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a photoelectrochemical system that is operable, on illumination with light, to cleave an electrolyte to yield gaseous products, one or more of which may be used for fuel.
  • Other embodiments of the invention pertain to a photoelectrochemical cell for use in such a system, as well as to an array of such cells.
  • the electrolyte is an aqueous electrolyte (such as sea water, or water with a suitable electrolyte added) and the system is operable on illumination to cleave water in the electrolyte into oxygen and hydrogen (with usually only the hydrogen being collected for fuel).
  • electrolytes may be used and hence that gasses other than oxygen may be evolved, and as such references or examples herein to the electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention only to an aqueous electrolyte.
  • gas or gases in addition to hydrogen are evolved on illumination of the cell.
  • electrolytic solution which includes (as a minimum) hydrogen to thereby enable hydrogen to be evolved on operation of the cell.
  • Fig. 1 is an illustrative representation of a Tandem Cell. As shown, light travels through a glass plate 10 and enters the first photosystem of the cell via a compartment which contains an aqueous electrolyte 12 that is subjected to water photolysis. The light crosses the electrolyte and impinges upon the front face of a semiconducting WO 3 electrode (the electrode comprising a glass plate 14, a conducting layer 16 provided on the plate, and a
  • the WO 3 film 18 formed on the conducting layer).
  • the WO 3 film absorbs the blue and green part of the solar spectrum, and transmits the red and yellow part to the second photosystem of the cell - which in this instance is provided behind the back face ofthe WO 3 electrode.
  • the second photosystem contains a dye-sensitised mesoporous TiO film 20 which functions as a light driven electric bias that is operable to increase the electrochemical potential of the electrons that emerge from the WO 3 film l8.
  • the TiO 2 film 20 is formed on a transparent conductor 22 which has been formed on the back face of the glass plate 14 of the WO electrode, and the film is in contact with an organic redox electrolyte 24 that is provided between the film 20 and a transparent counter electrode 26 which is rendered conductive on the side facing the redox electrolyte by means of an applied conductive layer.
  • the tungsten trioxide film ofthe first photosystem ofthe cell is operable to cleave water of the electrolyte to evolve oxygen
  • the second photosystem of the cell is operable to generate a voltage bias which drives the reduction of protons from the tungsten trioxide film 18 into hydrogen that is evolved at a cathode 34 immersed in the chamber 30 provided behind the counter electrode 26.
  • Evolved hydrogen, and optionally oxygen can be collected at the cathode and anode respectively, and then used - for example to generate electricity.
  • a working system (as might be suitable for home installation for example) has not yet been proposed.
  • a first aim of the present invention is to provide a practical working system for the production of hydrogen.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is concerned with devising an arrangement which makes use of a greater proportion of the electromagnetic spectrum of incident light.
  • the Tandem Cell for example, whilst the WO 3 film is responsive to blue and green light and the TiO 2 film is responsive to red and yellow light, the remainder of the incident electromagnetic spectrum is largely unused.
  • the remainder of the incident electromagnetic spectrum is largely unused.
  • it would be highly advantageous if some of this hitherto unused solar energy could be utilised so that a greater proportion of the incident solar spectrum is put to use in the system. Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to devise a means for making use of a greater proportion of the incident solar spectrum.
  • Tandem Cell itself is well suited for laboratory experimentation (for example to prove the principle of cleaving water by light), it is not particularly well suited as the core component of a practical working system.
  • the biasing voltage provided by the sensitised mesoporous TiO 2 film is sufficient to drive the photoelectrolysis of water
  • more efficient hydrogen production may be provided by increasing the biasing voltage.
  • Other aspects of the Tandem Cell which would merit some improvement (for a practical working system) are the durability of the cell and the cost of its manufacture.
  • a further aim ofthe present invention is, therefore, to provide a cell which mitigates some of these disadvantages.
  • a photoelectrochemical system for the cleavage of an electrolyte into hydrogen by light
  • the system comprising: a photoelectrochemical device that comprises first and second electrically connected cells, said first cell including a photoactive electrode that is operable when in contact with said electrolyte to absorb light and generate protons, said second cell being operable to absorb light to generate a voltage bias for driving the reduction of protons generated by said first cell to hydrogen, said hydrogen being evolved at a second electrode immersed in said electrolyte; and means for circulating electrolyte through the system.
  • a photoelectrochemical device for the system, the device comprising first and second electrically connected cells, said first cell including a photoactive tungsten trioxide electrode (or equivalent) that is operable when in contact with said electrolyte to absorb light and generate protons, said second cell comprising a photovoltaic device that is operable to absorb light and generate a voltage bias for driving the reduction of protons generated by said first cell to hydrogen, said hydrogen being evolved at a second electrode electrically coupled to said second cell and immersed in said electrolyte.
  • first cell including a photoactive tungsten trioxide electrode (or equivalent) that is operable when in contact with said electrolyte to absorb light and generate protons
  • said second cell comprising a photovoltaic device that is operable to absorb light and generate a voltage bias for driving the reduction of protons generated by said first cell to hydrogen, said hydrogen being evolved at a second electrode electrically coupled to said second cell and immersed in said electrolyte.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides another photoelectrochemical device for the system, the device comprising first and second electrically connected cells, said second cell comprising a photovoltaic device that is encapsulated between first and second conducting layers, the first conducting layer having a photoactive tungsten trioxide electrode (or equivalent) deposited on the other surface thereof, and the second conducting layer having a conducting film deposited thereon as an electrode, wherein the tungsten trioxide layer is operable when in contact with said electrolyte to absorb light and generate protons, and the photovoltaic device is operable to absorb light and generate a voltage bias for driving the reduction of protons generated by said tungsten trioxide electrode to hydrogen, said hydrogen being evolved at the electrode deposited on said second conducting layer when said electrode is immersed in said electrolyte.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a reel-to-reel manufacturing method for a photoelectrochemical device, the method comprising encapsulating a flexible photovoltaic device in transparent flexible conducting material, coating one side of the material in front of said device with a photoactive semiconducting film to form a first electrode, and coating the other side of the material behind said device with a conductor to form a second electrode.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a Tandem Cell as disclosed in the aforementioned PCT patent application;
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an alternative photoelectrochemical cell;
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view (along the line B — B of Fig. 4) of an array of photoelectrochemical cells;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view (along the line A — A of Fig. 3) ofthe array;
  • Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a photoelectrochemical system; and
  • Fig. 6 is a representation of another photoelectrochemical system;
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic idealised plot of hydrogen/metal hydride ratio against equilibrium pressure; and
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a system that employs a hydride pressure cascade to increase the pressure ofthe hydrogen supplied.
  • Fig. 1 is an illustrative representation of the aforementioned previously proposed Tandem Cell. This arrangement, whilst being eminently suitable for proving the feasibility of producing hydrogen by photoelectrolysis of an electrolyte, is less suitable for commercial production.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a cell that goes some way to avoiding these problems. The principal difference between the cell of Fig. 1 and that of Fig. 2 is that in the cell of Fig.
  • a simple photovoltaic cell comprises an n- type silicon layer and a p-type silicon layer which have been abutted to form a P-N junction therebetween.
  • FIG. 2 shows a photoelectrochemical cell 40 which employs a photovoltaic cell 42 (such as one of the aforementioned silicon photovoltaic cells) in place ofthe dye sensitised mesoporous titanium dioxide film 20 used in the cell of Fig. 1.
  • the cell on the left comprises a compartment 44 which contains an electrolyte that is subjected to photolysis.
  • the electrolyte comprises water to which an electrolyte has been added for ionic conduction, or seawater.
  • the second (photovoltaic) cell 42 functions as a light driven electric bias which is operable to increase the electrochemical potential of the electrons that emerge from the WO 3 film.
  • incident light is used to cleave the electrolyte (which in the preferred arrangement is an aqueous electrolyte) so that Oxygen is evolved from the compartment in the first cell, and hydrogen is evolved at a cathode 60 immersed in the chamber 54 provided behind the second cell.
  • This arrangement is advantageous as compared to that of Fig.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view (along the line B — B of Fig. 4) of an array of cells for the photoelectrolysis of an electrolyte to yield hydrogen.
  • the one cell 70 of the array that is visible is depicted as being inclined, as it would normally be (for example when mounted on a rooftop) to increase its exposure to incident solar radiation.
  • the array will need to be tilted by at least 10 degrees to the horizontal to allow gas to gather at the top of the Cell for collection.
  • the array may also be tilted a few degrees from side-to-side to aid gas collection and electrolyte circulation.
  • the cell 70 of this arrangement comprises a flexible photovoltaic panel 72, for example of amorphous silicon, that is sandwiched between first and second conducting layers 74, 76 and sealed top and bottom from the electrolyte by a suitable sealant material 77.
  • Each of the conducting layers 74, 76 are transversely conductive (as opposed to longitudinally conductive as in the cells abovementioned) and at least the first conducting layer is transparent - at least to light of a wavelength to which the photovoltaic panel is responsive.
  • Such layers could comprise, for example, conducting glass or more preferably conducting epoxy glue of the type commonly used in the electronics industry (for example for attaching semiconductor devices to a substrate).
  • a photoactive semiconducting film 78 (which could be for example a tungsten trioxide film as aforementioned, an iron (iii) oxide film or any one of a number of other semiconducting films that are photoactive) is deposited on the front of the first layer 74, and a suitable conducting layer 80 (for example of platinum, a platinised conducting material or similar) is deposited on the underside ofthe second conducting layer 76 (namely the side opposite to that which is attached to the panel 72) to form a cathode.
  • a gas - for example oxygen - is evolved.
  • the illuminated panel acts as a light driven electric bias which is operable to increase the electrochemical potential of the electrons that emerge from the photoactive film 78 deposited on the first layer, and hydrogen is evolved at the cathode formed by the conducting layer formed on the underside of the second conducting layer 76.
  • one or more stiffer conducting layers can be included - for example between the deposited photoactive film 78 and the first conducting layer 74, or between the first conducting layer 74 and the flexible photovoltaic panel 72.
  • a stiffer conducting layer 82 (such as a metal or carbon sheet or film) is provided between the flexible photovoltaic panel 72 and the second conducting layer 76, and this stiffer layer can be extended (as shown) at the base ofthe cell to provide a baffle that stops hydrogen passing round the bottom ofthe cell and recombining with the gas produced in the front half of the cell.
  • the cell is located in an enclosure 84 (such as a pressed steel enclosure) in use. As shown in Fig.
  • the enclosure 84 is closed by a glass front sheet which is sealed at either end with the enclosure in a suitably resilient gasket 86 before the cell is filled with electrolyte.
  • the top end ofthe enclosure 84 is shaped to have an inward step 88 against the underside of which the second conducting layer 76 is sealed.
  • the cell effectively functions as a manifold to direct hydrogen and, for example, oxygen to respective outlets 90.
  • the enclosure is also provided with an electrolyte inlet 92 and an electrolyte outlet 94 to enable electrolyte to be circulated through the cell.
  • the return ionic path from the cathode to the anode is relatively long.
  • the cell of Fig. 3 with a plurality of through-holes 96 to thereby reduce the length of the ionic conduction pathways in the cell between the cathode and the anode.
  • the through holes are of a relatively small diameter so as not to overly decrease the active area of the cell, and are hooded by means of a shield 98 which extends below the level of the cathode so that as hydrogen bubbles up the cathode to the outlet it cannot flow from one side ofthe cell to the other.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view (along the line A — A of Fig. 3) of the array. As depicted, in this instance the array comprises three identical cells placed side-by-side in the enclosure 84. Depending on the required output, however, any number of cells may be provided.
  • the stiffer conducting layer 82 is preferably downwardly extended at the base of the cell to provide a baffle. It is also preferred for the stiffer conducting layer 82 of each cell to be laterally downwardly extended (as depicted in Fig. 4) to form a lateral skirt 85 that extends below the cathode 80 and into abutment with the base of the enclosure 84 at either end of a transverse depression 83 formed in the base thereof (see Fig. 3).
  • the skirt 85 functions to space the cell from the enclosure 84, to provide a channel 87 through which electrolyte can flow, and to prevent hydrogen formed at the cathode from passing round the sides ofthe cell and recombining with oxygen, for example, formed at the anode.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a system 100 in which any of the cells described above may be employed. The system is shown in situ on the roof 101 of a building, and has been designed with the core aim of making use of a greater proportion of solar energy incident on the cell/array. To this end the system depicted in Fig.
  • the core component of the system depicted in Fig. 5 is a photoelectrochemical device 102.
  • the photoelectrochemical device 102 comprises an array of cells, as depicted in
  • a single cell may instead be provided - or indeed that the array may include different types of cell (such as those depicted in Figs. 1 or 2) or indeed a combination of different types of cells (for example one each of those depicted in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
  • Each device 102 is provided with an inlet 104 that is coupled to an electrolyte supply manifold 106.
  • the electrolyte supply manifold 106 is coupled to an electrolyte reservoir 108, and in this particular example the electrolyte in the system is pressurised by means of an electrolyte header tank 110 located above the reservoir 108.
  • the header tank may be coupled to the mains water supply and provided with a float valve (for example of the type provided in a toilet cistern) so that any water fluid loss in the system is automatically replenished.
  • a header tank arrangement is advantageous, not only because the tank pressurises the electrolyte, but also because the tank provides overpressure protection for the electrolyte part ofthe system as a whole.
  • each device is provided with an outlet 112 that is coupled to an electrolyte return manifold 114, and the return manifold is in turn coupled to the reservoir 108 to return electrolyte thereto once it has circulated through the device 102.
  • This arrangement is particularly advantageous as it allows the electrolyte to circulate past the anode and cathode, thereby facilitating the evolution of gas.
  • Hydrogen evolved on illumination of the device 102 is collected at a hydrogen outlet 116 for subsequent use.
  • the gas for an aqueous electrolyte, the gas
  • oxygen evolved at the anode can simply be vented to atmosphere from each cell or array of cells forming a said device.
  • further pipework can be provided to collect the gas or gasses evolved in addition to hydrogen.
  • hydrogen collected at each device outlet 116 passes to a hydrogen manifold 118 that is coupled to a hydride storage array 120.
  • Hydride storage arrays comprise a stack of interconnected hydride packs which can be used to store hydrogen and to differentially charge (i.e. store hydrogen) and discharge (i.e. output hydrogen).
  • the electrolyte circulates through the system it is heated by the incident electromagnetic radiation (typically sunlight), and this heat is returned to the electrolyte reservoir as the electrolyte circulates out of the photoelectrochemical device 102.
  • the hydride array 120 By locating the hydride array 120 in close proximity to the electrolyte reservoir 108, it is possible to regulate the temperature of the array so that it is well suited for the storage of hydrogen.
  • a heat source at 85 degrees centigrade (which is typically easily achievable with a device in sunlight) enables compression of hydrogen from 7 bar g to 250 bar g for storage.
  • the hydride array can be coupled to a secondary device (not shown) such as for example a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system, and the hydrogen stored in the array can be used to drive the fuel cell system when the hydrogen is released.
  • a secondary device such as for example a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system
  • the electrolyte in the system is only at a relatively low pressure of something in the region of 1 to 5 poss. (roughly 0.07 to 0.34 bar).
  • This relatively low electrolyte pressure means that the glass plate provided on the front of each device 102 can be kept quite thin (thereby reducing the amount of light absorbed) and that simple plastic pipework can be used for the electrolyte circuit.
  • the pipework for the hydrogen part of the system can be of inexpensive plastic.
  • the pipework could be metalised on its inner surface so as to avoid any diffusion of hydrogen through the pipework.
  • the plastic pipework itself may constitute a structural frame for mounting the photoelectrochemical device (for example on the roof of a building), although a separate structural support frame could be provided if desired or expedient. If plastic pipework is used, it would be preferable if the system were to be constructed so that the pipework is located behind the photoelectrochemical device - where it will be protected from degradation caused by ultraviolet light.
  • the photoelectrochemical device attaches and seals to the hydrogen and electrolyte pipe-work by means of quick-release self-sealing connectors. Such connectors are widely used by gardeners, and commonly sold for example under the trade name "Hozelock".
  • Each photoelectrochemical device may also include a flow-meter at the hydrogen outlet to provide an indication to the user ofthe system that the device is functioning.
  • the meter need not be expensive or provide any sort of measurement of flow-rate, it is sufficient if the meter merely provides an indication that hydrogen is flowing from the device.
  • means are provided for monitoring the electrolyte so that a user of the system is able to control the chemistry of the electrolyte to thereby maintain the performance ofthe system.
  • the system depicted in Fig. 5 may be supplemented by means of a Stirling Engine (or equivalent device) 122.
  • Stirling Engines as is well known in the art, cause a piston to move by heating and cooling a gas.
  • the "hot" side of the Stirling Engine 122 can be arranged to be in close proximity to the electrolyte reservoir (so that heat can be drawn therefrom), and the "cold" side of the Stirling Engine can be arranged to be in close proximity to the relatively cool feeder pipe from the header tank.
  • Stirling Engines typically include a flywheel, and this could be coupled to a generator to generate electricity.
  • a flywheel and this could be coupled to a generator to generate electricity.
  • the electrolyte reservoir could be coupled to a heat exchanger and to a domestic hot water or heating system for example.
  • the relatively hot electrolyte would directly heat the water in the domestic system, and that hot water could then be stored in a lagged container for subsequent use - for example for washing or heating.
  • the pipe-work could be arranged to provide a natural (thermo-siphon) flow of electrolyte through the device to a heat-exchanger, with cooled electrolyte being returned to the device.
  • hydrogen generated by the array may be output to a so-called thermal hydride compressor to enable the relatively low pressure array output to be increased in pressure to a point more suited for commercial applications.
  • Thermal hydride compressors make use ofthe fact that metal hydrides have an equilibrium pressure, also known in the art as a plateau pressure, at a given temperature.
  • the pressure of supplied hydrogen exceeds the equilibrium pressure of the particular metal hydride in which the hydrogen is to be stored, then the hydrogen is absorbed into the hydride. If, on the other hand, the pressure of supplied hydrogen falls below the equilibrium pressure of the particular metal hydride, then the hydride releases hydrogen that it has previously stored.
  • the process of absorbing hydrogen in a metal hydride is exothermic (i.e. it gives out heat), whereas the process of liberating hydrogen from a hydride is endothermic (i.e. it takes in heat).
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic plot of the hydrogen metal hydride ratio against equilibrium pressure showing, inter alia, how the equilibrium pressure varies with temperature for a given metal hydride.
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of one potential implementation of an illustrative two-stage thermal hydride compressor. As shown, the compressor 140 comprises, in this instance, two hydride storage canisters 142, 144. The first of these canisters is coupled to a source of hydrogen (e.g.
  • valves may be simple solenoid valves.
  • a large number of different hydrides are known in the art, any of which are suitable for use in this aspect of the invention. It is also the case that the properties of any one halide may be varied by making slight changes to the basic composition. In the preferred arrangement, the hydrides used in each canister are different from one another, and provide different equilibrium pressures at each stage.
  • Fig 8 may be operated to provide higher pressure pulses of Hydrogen at the outlet.
  • two parallel banks of canisters may be provided, one bank being heated (to expel hydrogen from respective canisters of that bank) whilst the other is being cooled (to absorb hydrogen into respective canisters of that bank).
  • the canisters 142, 144 are each coupled to a coolant circuit 148 and a heater circuit 150.
  • both circuits are for circulating fluid, for example water.
  • Pumps (not shown) are provided to pump the fluid round each circuit and through valves (e.g.
  • the coolant circuit may include a heat exchanger (not shown), and that exchanger could be located in the storage tank 110 so that heat drawn from the canisters is transferred to the electrolyte.
  • the heating circuit may include a heat exchanger located - in close proximity to the electrolyte outlet manifold 114 so that heated electrolyte heats the fluid running through the heater circuit.
  • the coolant circuit and heater circuit may include electrical coolers/heaters. The compressor works as follows. In a first step, cold fluid is supplied through respective valves to the canisters.
  • Hydrogen is supplied through inlet valve A to the first canister 142, and is absorbed therein generating heat.
  • the generated heat is carried out of the canister by the coolant so that the absorbtion process can continue until the metal halide is saturated.
  • the coolant valves and valve A are closed, and the heater valves are opened to circulate heater fluid through the canisters.
  • the heater fluid warms the canister increasing the pressure ofthe hydrogen trapped therein.
  • the heater valves are then closed, and valve B is opened to allow relatively high-pressure hydrogen (as compared to the pressure at the inlet) to flow from the first canister 142 to the second canister 144 for absorption.
  • the canisters are cooled by opening the coolant valves so that the absorption process continues until the metal hydride in the second canister 144 is saturated. At this point the coolant valves are closed, and the heater valves are opened to warm the canisters and increase the pressure of hydrogen stored in the second canister 144. Valve C is then opened, whilst heater fluid continues to be circulated through the heater circuit, to release hydrogen gas at the outlet which is at a higher pressure than the pressure of the gas supplied to the second canister from the first, and a higher pressure than the supply pressure through valve A. Once the stored hydrogen has been released from the second canister, valve C is closed, and the process is repeated.
  • the cells aforementioned have been described in the context of one cell provided in front of the other, it will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art that the cells could instead be provided side by side (with appropriate electrical connections therebetween).
  • the front glass face of the cell could include an optical device that is operable to divert appropriate wavelengths of incident light to whichever of the two cells that is responsive thereto.
  • tungsten trioxide and ferric oxide have been mentioned herein as suitable photoactive materials, a variety of additional photoactive materials are known in the art, any one of which is suitable for use in accordance with the teachings ofthe invention.
  • an electrical compressor for example, could be provided to pressurise hydrogen output by the cell array.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Hybrid Cells (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système photoélectrochimique pour le clivage d'un électrolyte dans de l'hydrogène au moyen de lumière. Ce système comprend : un dispositif photoélectrochimique comportant des premières et secondes cellules à connexion électrique, la première cellule comprenant une électrode photoactive qui fonctionne lorsqu'elle est en contact avec l'électrolyte afin d'absorber la lumière et de générer des protons, la seconde cellule servant à absorber la lumière afin de générer une polarisation de tension afin d'entraîner la réduction de protons générés par la première cellule vers l'hydrogène, cet hydrogène étant dégagé au niveau de la second électrode immergée dans l'électrolyte. Le système comprend aussi des moyens de circulation de l'électrolyte à travers le système
EP05744959A 2004-05-18 2005-05-18 Systeme photoelectrochimique Withdrawn EP1774060A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0411066A GB2414243A (en) 2004-03-15 2004-05-18 Photoelectrochemical system
PCT/GB2005/001919 WO2005113859A2 (fr) 2004-05-18 2005-05-18 Systeme photoelectrochimique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1774060A2 true EP1774060A2 (fr) 2007-04-18

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05744959A Withdrawn EP1774060A2 (fr) 2004-05-18 2005-05-18 Systeme photoelectrochimique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1774060A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2008507464A (fr)
AU (1) AU2005245663A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005113859A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107090585A (zh) * 2012-11-20 2017-08-25 株式会社东芝 光化学反应系统

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