A photocatalysis-electrolysis coupling reaction system

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of photocatalysis-electrolysis coupling reaction systems, comprising: photocatalysis-electrolysis reaction device and power management module;Photocatalysis-electrolysis reaction device includes reaction cavity and selective permeation membrane;Selective permeation membrane is set in reaction cavity, and reaction cavity is divided into first cavity and second cavity;First cavity is provided with electrolysis anode and photocatalysis anode;The reaction substrate of photocatalysis anode is towards first side wall;Second cavity is provided with electrolysis cathode and photocatalysis cathode;First output positive pole and electrolysis anode are electrically connected, first output negative pole and electrolysis cathode are electrically connected, second output positive pole and photocatalysis anode are electrically connected, and second output negative pole and photocatalysis cathode are electrically connected;First output positive pole and first output negative pole are used to provide electrolysis voltage for electrolysis reaction, and second output positive pole and second output negative pole are used to provide bias voltage for photocatalysis reaction.The application can simplify reaction system, reduce cost, improve integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photoelectrochemical technology, and more particularly to a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system. Background Technology

[0002] Existing solar-powered hydrogen production technologies are mainly divided into two independent paths: photovoltaic-driven electrochemical cell (PV-EC) technology and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting technology.

[0003] PV-EC technology generates electricity from independent photovoltaic arrays, which, after passing through power electronic devices, drive independent electrolyzers (such as proton exchange membrane electrolyzers or alkaline electrolyzers) to produce hydrogen. This technology is mature, but suffers from multiple energy conversion stages (photovoltaics-electricity-hydrogen), limited system efficiency, and theoretical limitations and heat loss issues in the utilization of the full spectrum of solar energy by photovoltaic cells. PEC technology utilizes semiconductor photoelectrodes to directly generate photovoltage under illumination to drive water splitting. This technology has high theoretical efficiency and a simple structure, but faces bottlenecks such as poor stability of photoelectric materials, the need for external bias voltage assistance, and the contradiction between the utilization rate of the solar spectrum (especially ultraviolet light) and the light intensity requirements. Neither technology, when operated independently, has achieved the maximization, hierarchical, and synergistic utilization of solar spectral energy, resulting in room for improvement in overall system energy efficiency, compactness, and economy.

[0004] Current research has attempted to directly connect photovoltaic cells to PEC electrolyzers, using photovoltaic voltage to provide bias voltage for the PEC. However, this is usually just a simple series connection of two independent devices, failing to solve the problems of spectral utilization and system integration. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It realizes that the electrolysis reaction and the photocatalytic reaction share a single selectively permeable membrane and reaction chamber, so that the electrolysis anode and the photocatalytic anode, as well as the electrolysis cathode and the photocatalytic cathode, work together in the same chamber. This simplifies the reaction system, reduces costs, and improves the integration of the reaction system.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system is provided, comprising: a photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device and a power management module; The photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device includes a reaction chamber and a selectively permeable membrane; The selectively permeable membrane is disposed within the reaction chamber, dividing the reaction chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; the first chamber includes at least a first sidewall, which is light-transmitting. The first cavity is provided with an electrolytic anode and a photocatalytic anode; the reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode faces the first sidewall; The second cavity is equipped with an electrolytic cathode and a photocatalytic cathode; The power management module includes a first positive output terminal, a first negative output terminal, a second positive output terminal, and a second negative output terminal; The first output positive electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic anode, the first output negative electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic cathode, the second output positive electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode, and the second output negative electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode. The first positive and first negative output electrodes are used to provide electrolysis voltage for the electrolysis reaction, and the second positive and second negative output electrodes are used to provide bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction.

[0007] Optionally, the reaction chamber is one of a tubular chamber, a plate chamber, or a panel chamber.

[0008] Optionally, the power management module is also electrically connected to the power grid.

[0009] Optionally, the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system further includes: at least one heliostat photovoltaic mirror module; The heliostat photovoltaic mirror module includes a beam splitting unit and a photovoltaic power generation unit; The beam splitting unit is used to receive sunlight, transmit a first ray, and reflect a second ray; the wavelength of the first ray is greater than or equal to the first wavelength, and the wavelength of the second ray is less than the first wavelength; The photovoltaic power generation unit is located on the side of the beam splitting unit that is away from sunlight. The photovoltaic power generation unit is used to receive the first light rays and convert the energy of the first light rays into electrical energy. The second ray reflected by the beam splitter is focused onto the first sidewall.

[0010] Optionally, the first wavelength is 420 nm.

[0011] Optionally, the heliostat photovoltaic module further includes: a support tower and a tracking drive mechanism; The support tower includes a support column; the top of the support column has multiple support beams; each support beam is used to support the beam splitting unit and the photovoltaic power generation unit. The tracking drive mechanism is mounted on the support beam and connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit and the beam splitting unit; The tracking drive mechanism is used to drive the beam splitting unit and the photovoltaic power generation unit to rotate so that the beam splitting unit tracks the sun in real time.

[0012] Optionally, the heliostat photovoltaic module further includes: an electrical integration device and a heat dissipation device; The supporting column has an internal cavity; the electrical integrated device and the heat dissipation device are housed within the cavity; The electrical integrated device is electrically connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit and is used to process and output the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit. The heat dissipation device is in contact with the electrical integrated device and is used to dissipate heat from the electrical integrated device.

[0013] Optionally, the heliostat photovoltaic module further includes a maintenance structure; the maintenance structure is formed on the side wall of the supporting column. The side wall of the supporting column has an inspection and maintenance structure; the inspection and maintenance structure is used to close or open the passage leading to the accommodating cavity.

[0014] Optionally, the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system further includes: a light-gathering receiving unit; The focusing receiving unit is used to receive the second light reflected by the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module and to uniformly focus the second light onto the first sidewall.

[0015] Optionally, the focusing receiving unit includes at least one of the following: a tower-type focusing receiving device, a dish-type focusing receiving device, a trough-type focusing receiving device, and a Fresnel transmission focusing receiving device.

[0016] The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device and a power management module. The photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device includes a reaction chamber and a selectively permeable membrane. The selectively permeable membrane is disposed in the reaction chamber and divides the reaction chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes at least a light-transmitting first sidewall. The first chamber is provided with an electrolytic anode and a photocatalytic anode. The reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode faces the first sidewall, so that the light driving the photocatalytic reaction can pass through the first sidewall and irradiate the photocatalytic anode. The second chamber is provided with an electrolytic cathode and a photocatalytic cathode. The power management module includes a first output positive electrode, a first output negative electrode, a second output positive electrode, and a second output negative electrode. The first output positive electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic anode, the first output negative electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic cathode, the second output positive electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode, and the second output negative electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode. This allows the power management module to provide an electrolysis voltage for the electrolysis reaction through the first output positive electrode and the first output negative electrode, and to provide a bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction through the second output positive electrode and the second output negative electrode. In this way, the electrolysis reaction and the photocatalytic reaction can share a single selectively permeable membrane and reaction chamber, allowing the electrolysis anode and the photocatalytic anode, as well as the electrolysis cathode and the photocatalytic cathode, to work collaboratively within the same chamber. This simplifies the reaction system, reduces costs, and improves the integration of the reaction system.

[0017] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Provided for embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the working principle of the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heliostat photovoltaic mirror module provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of another photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 Provided for embodiments of the present invention Figure 5 The diagram shows the working principle of the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0022] This invention provides a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system, which is suitable for fields requiring high-energy photon excitation combined with electrochemical processes. Specifically, this system can include, but is not limited to, the production of hydrogen from water splitting, driving CO2 reduction to synthesize fuels, or ammonia synthesis. For ease of description, the following description uses the production of hydrogen from water splitting as an example.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 1As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system including a photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 and a power management module 20; the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 includes a reaction chamber 11 and a selectively permeable membrane 12, the selectively permeable membrane 12 being disposed within the reaction chamber 11 and dividing the reaction chamber 11 into a first chamber 111 and a second chamber 112; the first chamber 111 includes at least a first sidewall 1111, the first sidewall 1111 being light-transmitting; the first chamber 111 is provided with an electrolytic anode 111a and a photocatalytic anode 111b; the reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode 111b faces the first sidewall 1111; the second chamber 11... 2. An electrolytic cathode 112a and a photocatalytic cathode 112b are provided; the power management module 20 includes a first output positive electrode 21, a first output negative electrode 22, a second output positive electrode 23, and a second output negative electrode 24; the first output positive electrode 21 is electrically connected to the electrolytic anode 111a, the first output negative electrode 22 is electrically connected to the electrolytic cathode 112a, the second output positive electrode 23 is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode 111b, and the second output negative electrode 24 is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode 112b; the first output positive electrode 21 and the first output negative electrode 22 are used to provide electrolytic voltage for the electrolytic reaction, and the second output positive electrode 23 and the second output negative electrode 24 are used to provide bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction.

[0024] The photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 is a device capable of simultaneously performing photoelectrochemical water splitting and water electrolysis. Photoelectrochemical water splitting utilizes a semiconductor photoelectrode to directly generate a photovoltage under illumination to drive water decomposition, producing hydrogen and oxygen. An external bias voltage is required to overcome overpotential and separate photogenerated carriers. Water electrolysis involves passing a direct current through an electrolytic cell filled with electrolyte, causing water molecules to undergo an electrochemical reaction at the electrodes, producing hydrogen and oxygen.

[0025] The reaction chamber 11 is used to hold the electrolyte solution. Optionally, the reaction chamber 11 can be a tubular chamber, a plate chamber, or a panel chamber, as long as it can hold the electrolyte solution required for photoelectrochemical water splitting and water electrolysis.

[0026] The selectively permeable membrane 12 serves as a separator, allowing specific ions to pass through selectively, such as allowing only cations, only anions, or only protons to pass through. The selectively permeable membrane 12 is disposed within the reaction chamber 11, dividing the reaction chamber 11 into a first chamber 111 and a second chamber 112, namely a hydrogen chamber and an oxygen chamber. In this embodiment, the selectively permeable membrane 12 can be determined based on the type of electrolyte solution in the reaction chamber 11, as long as it enables the decomposition of water to produce hydrogen. In an optional embodiment, the electrolyte solution in the reaction chamber 11 is a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution of a certain concentration, and the selectively permeable membrane 12 can be an anion-exchange membrane (AEM). In another optional embodiment, when the electrolyte solution in the reaction chamber 11 is an acidic electrolyte solution, the selectively permeable membrane 12 can be a proton exchange membrane (PEM).

[0027] The first cavity 111 includes at least a first sidewall 1111, which is light-transmitting, allowing light to pass through and enter the first cavity 111. An electrolytic anode 111a and a photocatalytic anode 111b are disposed within the first cavity 111. The reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode 111b faces the first sidewall 1111, so that the light entering the first cavity 111 can be received by the photocatalytic anode 111b. The electrolytic anode 111a can be composed of a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst, such as Ni, IrO2, or NiFe-LDH, while the photocatalytic anode 111b can be composed of a visible light-responsive semiconductor, such as BiVO4 or TiO2, and a co-catalyst, such as CoPi or NiFeO. x It is composed of various compounds.

[0028] The second cavity 112 is provided with an electrolytic cathode 112a and a photocatalytic cathode 112b. The electrolytic cathode 112a can be composed of a highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst, such as Pt / C or NiMo alloy, etc., and the photocatalytic cathode 112b can be composed of a hydrogen evolution reaction material, such as Pt or Pt-based alloy, etc.

[0029] It should be noted that the electrolytic anode 111a and the photocatalytic anode 111b are integrated in the first cavity 111, and the electrolytic cathode 112a and the photocatalytic cathode 112b are integrated in the second cavity 112. This allows the photoelectrochemical water splitting reactor and the water electrolysis cell to be coupled at the membrane electrode assembly level, which helps to simplify the system, improve the system integration, and reduce costs.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 further includes an oxygen outlet 13 and a hydrogen outlet 14, enabling the oxygen and hydrogen generated by the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 to be collected smoothly. In an exemplary embodiment, since the oxygen and hydrogen generated by the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 may carry a small amount of electrolyte solution when discharged through the oxygen outlet and hydrogen outlet, respectively, circulation pipelines can be provided on the pipeline between the first chamber 111 and the oxygen outlet 13, and on the pipeline between the second chamber 112 and the hydrogen outlet 14, so that the electrolyte solution carried by the oxygen and hydrogen can flow back to the reaction chamber 11 through the circulation pipelines, which is beneficial for saving energy.

[0031] The power management module 20 provides electrical energy to the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10, enabling the device to simultaneously perform photoelectrochemical water splitting and water electrolysis. The power management module 20 includes a first positive output electrode 21, a first negative output electrode 22, a second positive output electrode 23, and a second negative output electrode 24. The first positive output electrode 21 is electrically connected to the electrolysis anode 111a, and the first negative output electrode 22 is electrically connected to the electrolysis cathode 112a, allowing the power management module 20 to provide an electrolysis voltage for the electrolysis reaction through the first positive output electrode 21 and the first negative output electrode 22. The second positive output electrode 23 is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode 111b, and the second negative output electrode 24 is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode 112b, allowing the second positive output electrode 23 and the second negative output electrode 24 to provide a bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the power management module 20 further includes a bias fine-tuning circuit unit, which is electrically connected to the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 and is used to finely optimize the potential of the photocatalytic anode 111b or the photocatalytic cathode 112b to match the optimal operating point for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

[0033] In this embodiment, the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system includes a photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device and a power management module. The photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device includes a reaction chamber and a selectively permeable membrane. The selectively permeable membrane is disposed in the reaction chamber and divides the reaction chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes at least a light-transmitting first sidewall. The first chamber is provided with an electrolytic anode and a photocatalytic anode. The reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode faces the first sidewall, so that the light driving the photocatalytic reaction can pass through the first sidewall and irradiate the photocatalytic anode. The second chamber is provided with an electrolytic cathode and a photocatalytic cathode. The power management module includes a first output positive electrode, a first output negative electrode, a second output positive electrode, and a second output negative electrode. The first output positive electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic anode, the first output negative electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic cathode, the second output positive electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode, and the second output negative electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode. This allows the power management module to provide an electrolysis voltage for the electrolysis reaction through the first output positive electrode and the first output negative electrode, and to provide a bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction through the second output positive electrode and the second output negative electrode. In this way, the electrolysis reaction and the photocatalytic reaction can share a single selectively permeable membrane and reaction chamber, allowing the electrolysis anode and the photocatalytic anode, as well as the electrolysis cathode and the photocatalytic cathode, to work collaboratively in the same chamber. This simplifies the reaction system, reduces costs, and improves the integration of the reaction system.

[0034] It should be noted that the power management module 20 may be electrically connected to, but is not limited to, photovoltaic power generation devices, power grids or energy storage systems, so as to obtain electrical energy to supply the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, when the power management module 20 is electrically connected to the power grid, the electrical energy provided by the power grid is distributed to the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 after passing through the power management module 20.

[0036] In addition, the power management module 20 also includes an electro-optical conversion unit, which is used to convert electrical energy into light that can drive photocatalytic reactions, such as converting electrical energy into ultraviolet light, thereby further improving the system integration.

[0037] Optional, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Provided for embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the working principle of the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a heliostat photovoltaic mirror module provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figures 2 to 4As shown, the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system also includes at least one heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30; the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30 includes a beam splitting unit 31 and a photovoltaic power generation unit 32; the beam splitting unit 31 is used to receive sunlight, transmit a first ray, and reflect a second ray; the wavelength of the first ray is greater than or equal to the first wavelength, and the wavelength of the second ray is less than the first wavelength. The photovoltaic power generation unit 32 is disposed on the side of the beam splitting unit 31 away from the sunlight, and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 is used to receive the first ray and convert the energy of the first ray into electrical energy; the second ray reflected by the beam splitting unit 31 is focused onto the first sidewall 1111.

[0038] The beam-splitting unit 31 includes at least one beam splitter 311. By designing the optical film layer deposited on the substrate of the beam splitter 311, high transmission of the first light ray and high reflection of the second light ray are achieved. The wavelength range of the first and second light rays, i.e., the first wavelength, can be determined based on the characteristics of the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 and the photocatalytic anode 111b, so that the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 has a high response to the first light ray transmitted by the beam-splitting unit 31, and the photocatalytic anode 111b has a high response to the second light ray reflected by the beam-splitting unit 31, thus enabling on-demand beam splitting. For example, the first wavelength can be, but is not limited to, 420nm, 380nm, 450nm, or 500nm, as long as the photocatalytic anode 111b has a high response to the second light ray.

[0039] The photovoltaic power generation unit 32 may include, but is not limited to, a solar panel 321 to receive first sunlight and convert the energy of the first sunlight into electrical energy. It should be noted that this embodiment does not specifically limit the type of solar panel, as long as it can achieve photovoltaic power generation.

[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, the first wavelength is 420 nm. In this case, light with a wavelength greater than or equal to 420 nm is the first light source, which can be transmitted through the beam splitter 31 to the photovoltaic power generation unit 32. Light with a wavelength less than 420 nm is the second light source, which can be reflected by the beam splitter 31 to the first sidewall 1111 of the first cavity 111. In an optional embodiment, when the first wavelength is 420 nm, the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 may include a solar panel with high response to visible-near-infrared light, such as a passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) or gallium arsenide (GaAs) cell, thereby ensuring that the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 has a high response to the first light transmitted by the beam splitter 31, and that the photocatalytic anode 111b has a high response to the second light reflected by the beam splitter 31.

[0041] It should be noted that, Figure 2The example shown is merely illustrative, illustrating a photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system comprising eight heliostat photovoltaic mirror modules 30, and does not limit the number of heliostat photovoltaic mirror modules 30. In practice, the number of heliostat photovoltaic mirror modules in the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system is set according to actual needs, as long as it meets the requirements of actual use.

[0042] Optional, see reference Figure 4 As shown, the heliostat module 30 also includes a support tower 33 and a tracking drive mechanism 34; the support tower 33 includes a support column 331; a plurality of support beams 332 are formed on the top of the support column 331; each support beam 332 is used to support the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32; the tracking drive mechanism 34 is installed on the support beams 332 and connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 and the beam splitting unit 31; the tracking drive mechanism 34 is used to drive the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 to rotate so that the beam splitting unit 31 tracks the sun in real time.

[0043] The support tower 33 supports other parts of the heliostat photovoltaic module 30, such as the beam splitting unit 31, the photovoltaic power generation unit 32, and the tracking drive mechanism 34, and can be made of steel. Furthermore, the support tower 33 can withstand external loads such as strong winds, thus providing a stable foundation for accurate solar tracking.

[0044] The support tower 33 includes a support column 331, and a plurality of support beams 332 are formed on the top of the support column 331. The support beams 332 are used to support the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32. The support column 331 has a certain height, so that the support beams 332 on its top support the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 to a certain height, which is conducive to heat dissipation of the photovoltaic power generation unit.

[0045] The tracking drive mechanism 34 can precisely adjust the azimuth and elevation angles of the beam splitter 311 in the beam splitting unit 31, thereby enabling the beam splitting unit 31 to track the sun in real time and accurately reflect the reflected second rays onto the first sidewall 1111 of the first cavity 111. In an optional embodiment, the tracking drive mechanism 34 adopts a closed-loop control system based on astronomical algorithms and photoelectric sensor feedback, thereby further improving the accuracy of the sun-tracking motion and causing more second rays to be reflected onto the first sidewall of the first cavity.

[0046] In an optional embodiment, the tracking drive mechanism 34 can be a dual-axis tracking drive mechanism 34, which can be a hydraulic drive mechanism or a motor drive mechanism. This embodiment does not specifically limit this, as long as it can drive the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 to rotate so that the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 can track the sun in real time.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30 further includes an electrical integration device (not shown) and a heat dissipation device (not shown). A receiving cavity 3311 is formed inside the support column 331; the electrical integration device and the heat dissipation device are housed within the receiving cavity 3311. The electrical integration device is electrically connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 and is used to process and output the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 32; the heat dissipation device is in contact with the electrical integration device and is used to dissipate heat from the electrical integration device.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the support column 331 is a hollow column, and its internal hollow structure is a receiving cavity 3311 for accommodating circuit wiring, electrical integrated devices and heat dissipation devices.

[0049] The electrical integration device can be a component-level electrical integration device, such as a photovoltaic junction box, and / or an array-level integration device, such as a photovoltaic combiner box. The electrical integration device processes and outputs the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 32. This can be understood as the electrical integration device collecting and transmitting the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 32, converting the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 into direct current, and outputting the direct current to the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10.

[0050] The heat dissipation device comes into contact with the electrical integrated device and is used to dissipate heat from the electrical integrated device. It is understood that the heat dissipation device may include passive heat dissipation devices, such as heat sinks or heat conduction plates, or active heat dissipation devices, such as fans, etc. This embodiment does not specifically limit the type of heat dissipation device.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30 further includes a maintenance structure 35 formed on the side wall of the supporting column 331. The maintenance structure 35 is used to close or open the channel leading to the accommodating cavity 3311, thereby facilitating the cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the beam splitting unit 31 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 32. In an optional embodiment, the maintenance structure 35 includes a detachable metal mesh 351. Since the detachable metal mesh 351 can be quickly installed and removed, it helps to improve the efficiency of maintenance.

[0052] Optional, continue to refer to Figure 2 As shown, the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system also includes a focusing receiving unit 40, which is used to receive the second light reflected by the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30 and uniformly focus the second light onto the first sidewall 1111, thereby improving the light utilization rate of the system and avoiding the deactivation of the catalyst of the photocatalytic anode 111b due to excessive local light intensity.

[0053] The focusing receiving unit 40 may be, but is not limited to, at least one of the following focusing receiving devices: tower focusing receiving device, dish focusing receiving device, slot focusing receiving device, Fresnel transmission focusing receiving device, etc., which can focus the second light beam onto the first sidewall 1111.

[0054] Optionally, when the concentrating receiving unit 40 includes a tower-type concentrating receiving device, the tower-type concentrating receiving device includes a tower 41, the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 is located at the top of the tower 41, and the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 has a certain tilt angle, so that the second light reflected by the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module 30 can directly irradiate the first sidewall 1111, thereby making the light intensity irradiated to the first sidewall 1111 higher, and thus the photon flux density higher, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 Provided for embodiments of the present invention Figure 5 The working principle block diagram of the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system shown is for reference. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the focusing receiving unit 40 may also include an optical path adjustment module 42, which may include a secondary reflector and / or a lens group. The optical path adjustment module 42 can further uniformly focus the second light received by the focusing receiving device onto the first sidewall 1111, thereby reducing the requirements on the optical path of the focusing receiving device.

[0056] It should be noted that the reaction chamber of the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 can be an insulator or a conductive material, such as a metal. When the reaction chamber of the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 is made of a conductive material, it can be grounded or ungrounded. When the reaction chamber of the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 is grounded, the electric field distribution in the photocatalytic-electrolysis reactor 10 can be changed, optimizing carrier transport and potentially improving photocurrent or catalytic efficiency.

[0057] In some embodiments, the reaction chamber of the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 and the tower 41 of the tower-type focusing receiver are made of metal and are in direct contact, which enables the reaction chamber of the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10 to be directly grounded, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the system.

[0058] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the working principle of the photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system is described in detail below: The heliostat photovoltaic module 30 tracks the sun in real time, causing sunlight to be split into a first ray and a second ray at the beam-splitting unit 31 of each heliostat photovoltaic module 30. The first ray is transmitted to the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 and converted into direct current, while the second ray is reflected and uniformly focused onto the first sidewall 1111. The direct current generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 32 is distributed by the power management module 20 and applied between the electrolytic anode 111a and the electrolytic cathode 112a, and between the photocatalytic anode 111b and the photocatalytic cathode 112b in the photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device 10. The highly concentrated second ray passes through the first sidewall 1111, exciting the photocatalytic anode 111b and the photocatalytic cathode 112b, generating photogenerated electron-hole pairs, driving the partial decomposition of water molecules. On the anode side, i.e., inside the first cavity 111, an external voltage enhances hole extraction, driving the electrolytic anode 111a to undergo an oxygen evolution reaction, which works in conjunction with the process of the photocatalytic anode 111b to produce oxygen. On the cathode side, within the second cavity 112, an applied voltage drives the electrolytic cathode 112a to undergo a hydrogen evolution reaction, simultaneously promoting the transfer of photogenerated electrons to the interface. This process works in synergy with the photocatalytic cathode 112b to produce hydrogen. Hydroxide ions (OH-) - Charge transfer is completed through directional migration between the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 112 via a shared selectively permeable membrane 12. The generated hydrogen and oxygen are discharged from their respective cavity outlets and collected after gas-liquid separation.

[0059] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system, characterized in that, include: Photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device and power management module; The photocatalytic-electrolysis reaction device includes a reaction chamber and a selectively permeable membrane; The selectively permeable membrane is disposed within the reaction chamber, dividing the reaction chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; the first chamber includes at least a first sidewall, which is light-transmitting. The first cavity is provided with an electrolytic anode and a photocatalytic anode; the reaction substrate of the photocatalytic anode faces the first sidewall; The second cavity is equipped with an electrolytic cathode and a photocatalytic cathode; The power management module includes a first positive output terminal, a first negative output terminal, a second positive output terminal, and a second negative output terminal; The first output positive electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic anode, the first output negative electrode is electrically connected to the electrolytic cathode, the second output positive electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic anode, and the second output negative electrode is electrically connected to the photocatalytic cathode. The first positive and first negative output electrodes are used to provide electrolysis voltage for the electrolysis reaction, and the second positive and second negative output electrodes are used to provide bias voltage for the photocatalytic reaction.

2. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reaction chamber is one of a tubular chamber, a plate chamber, or a panel chamber.

3. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power management module is also electrically connected to the power grid.

4. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one heliostat photovoltaic mirror module; The heliostat photovoltaic mirror module includes a beam splitting unit and a photovoltaic power generation unit; The beam splitting unit is used to receive sunlight, transmit a first ray, and reflect a second ray; the wavelength of the first ray is greater than or equal to the first wavelength, and the wavelength of the second ray is less than the first wavelength; The photovoltaic power generation unit is located on the side of the beam splitting unit that is away from sunlight. The photovoltaic power generation unit is used to receive the first light rays and convert the energy of the first light rays into electrical energy. The second ray reflected by the beam splitter is focused onto the first sidewall.

5. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first wavelength is 420nm.

6. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heliostat photovoltaic module also includes: a support tower and a tracking drive mechanism; The support tower includes a support column; the top of the support column has multiple support beams; each support beam is used to support the beam splitting unit and the photovoltaic power generation unit. The tracking drive mechanism is mounted on the support beam and connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit and the beam splitting unit; The tracking drive mechanism is used to drive the beam splitting unit and the photovoltaic power generation unit to rotate so that the beam splitting unit tracks the sun in real time.

7. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heliostat photovoltaic mirror module also includes: an electrical integration device and a heat dissipation device; The supporting column has an internal cavity; the electrical integrated device and the heat dissipation device are housed within the cavity; The electrical integrated device is electrically connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit and is used to process and output the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit. The heat dissipation device is in contact with the electrical integrated device and is used to dissipate heat from the electrical integrated device.

8. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heliostat photovoltaic mirror module also includes a maintenance structure; the maintenance structure is formed on the side wall of the supporting column; the maintenance structure is used to close or open the channel leading to the accommodating cavity.

9. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: Concentrated light receiving unit; The focusing receiving unit is used to receive the second light reflected by the heliostat photovoltaic mirror module and to uniformly focus the second light onto the first sidewall.

10. The photocatalytic-electrolysis coupled reaction system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The focusing receiving unit includes at least one of the following: tower focusing receiving device, dish focusing receiving device, trough focusing receiving device, and Fresnel transmission focusing receiving device.

Images