Issue 5, 2019

Controlling strategies to maximize reliability of integrated photo-electrochemical devices exposed to realistic disturbances

Abstract

We numerically investigate the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy by integrated photo-electrochemical (IPEC) devices and assess their response to time-dependent changes in the boundary conditions and the material properties. We focus on a device architecture which uses concentrated solar irradiation to reduce the use of rare and expensive components such as light absorbers and catalysts. For practical usability of IPEC devices, it is of particular importance that the device operates with stable efficiency and production rates. Variations in the operating conditions, resulting, for example, from degradation of the materials over the lifetime and from the daily and seasonal changes in incoming irradiation, pose a challenge for the stable and secure production of fuel from such devices. To tackle these issues, we develop performance optimization strategies utilizing device design, component and material choice, and adaptation of operational conditions. Degradation effects can be alleviated (3–21% improvement in production) by dynamically adapting the input water flow rates. The water mass flow controller acts as an optimum operating point tracker for the IPEC device eliminating any need for additional, external power electronics (such as a dc–dc based maximum power point tracker). Mass flow rate adaptation can further be used to alleviate higher frequency variations given by the per-minute and daily variation in the irradiation. A stabilized efficiency and hydrogen production for the day can be achieved with mass flow controlling, with a production increase in the range of 1–6%. The developed strategies highlight that the design of an IPEC device needs to consider the realistic operation of the IPEC during the complete life. The developed strategies show that mass flow control allows for a more dynamic PEC operation and is a powerful tool to ensure robust and efficient device operation and to allow for alleviation of degradation effected performance reduction while excluding any external power electronics.

Graphical abstract: Controlling strategies to maximize reliability of integrated photo-electrochemical devices exposed to realistic disturbances

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Sep 2018
Accepted
18 Mac 2019
First published
19 Mac 2019

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2019,3, 1297-1306

Controlling strategies to maximize reliability of integrated photo-electrochemical devices exposed to realistic disturbances

S. Tembhurne and S. Haussener, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2019, 3, 1297 DOI: 10.1039/C8SE00441B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements