Photothermal Hydrogen Device Using Frequency Division Solar Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen production technologies, such as solar thermal chemical and photocatalytic methods, suffer from low energy conversion efficiency due to the ineffective utilization of the entire solar spectrum, with infrared and ultraviolet visible light regions being underutilized, and lack experimental devices for studying photothermal coupling water decomposition to produce hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
A device for producing hydrogen through photothermal coupling of solar energy using frequency division technology, comprising a circular arc-shaped secondary reflection element, a photothermal coupling reactor, reflectors, and a liquid storage tank with a temperature-controlled fluid layer, where solid-state frequency dividers separate solar radiation into infrared and ultraviolet light parts, allowing for efficient energy transfer and utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar thermal chemical technology is used to convert infrared solar energy into chemical energy, then hydrogen production can be achieved, but the ultraviolet visible light region (nearly half of solar spectrum) cannot be effectively utilized, resulting in low overall energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The solar spectrum is segmented into infrared and ultraviolet visible regions, with each region directed to different functional components. The infrared region is directed to the solar thermal chemical reaction system, while the ultraviolet visible region is directed to the photocatalytic reaction system, allowing simultaneous utilization of both spectral regions without energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges solar thermal chemical reaction technology and solar photocatalytic reaction technology into a single integrated system. Both reaction systems operate simultaneously within the same reactor, enabling the conversion of both infrared and ultraviolet visible light energy into chemical energy (hydrogen), thereby breaking the efficiency limits of individual technologies
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar photocatalytic hydrogen-production technology is used to utilize ultraviolet visible light energy, then hydrogen can be produced, but the infrared part of solar energy is wasted meaninglessly
Solution Approach 1:
The solar spectrum is divided into ultraviolet visible and infrared regions. The ultraviolet visible region is directed to the photocatalytic reaction system for hydrogen production, while the infrared region is directed to the solar thermal chemical reaction system, ensuring complete utilization of the solar spectrum without wasting infrared energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines solar photocatalytic reaction and solar thermal chemical reaction in one system, allowing both ultraviolet visible light and infrared energy to be converted into chemical energy simultaneously, eliminating the energy waste problem of using only one technology
3Productivity
If photothermal coupling hydrogen-production is implemented to break upper limits of energy conversion efficiency, then hydrogen production efficiency can be greatly improved, but there are not many experimental devices available for research and exploration
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a solar simulator that separates light into ultraviolet visible and infrared regions, a solar photocatalytic reaction system, and a solar thermal chemical reaction system. This modular design allows for easier construction, operation, and research while achieving high hydrogen production efficiency through photothermal coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light source separation system as an intermediary component that divides solar simulation light into ultraviolet visible and infrared parts, directing each to the appropriate reaction system. This intermediary enables the complex photothermal coupling process to be managed systematically and makes the device more accessible for research purposes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enhances hydrogen production efficiency by dynamically adjusting the light and heat input ratio, improving the utilization of solar energy across the spectrum, and providing a controlled environment for testing photothermal catalysts, resulting in a high-efficiency, environmentally friendly, and intelligent hydrogen production system.
Implementation Method 1
solid-state frequency dividers separate solar radiation into infrared and ultraviolet light parts
Implementation Method 2
after energy of the infrared light part passes through the vacuum layer and the heat-absorbing fluid layer
Implementation Method 3
the temperature-controlled fluid layer transfers thermal energy to the photothermal coupling reactor
Implementation Method 4
a photocatalytic reaction uses a suitable semiconductor material as a photocatalyst, and under light irradiation at a specific wavelength, the photocatalyst is internally excited by light to generate electrons and hole pairs
Implementation Method 5
the photocatalyst is internally excited by light to generate electrons and hole pairs
Implementation Method 6
the light source is collected to the solid-state frequency divider through the reflectors that are arranged side by side
Implementation Method 7
a vacuum layer and a heat-absorbing fluid layer are sequentially provided at inner sides of two sides of the liquid storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a device for producing hydrogen through photothermal coupling of solar energy based on a frequency division technology, including a photothermal coupling reactor and a liquid storage tank and so on; during operation, a test sample containing a photothermal catalyst is placed in the photothermal coupling reactor, a light source is divided into an infrared light part and an ultravioiet light part through the solid-state frequency divider, energy of the infrared light part is finally transferred to the photothermal coupling reactor, and the ultraviolet light part is projected onto the photothermal catalyst. The present disclosure is used for an experiment for producing hydrogen through photothermal coupling of catalyst particles, and has advantages of environmental protection, high efficiency, simple and convenient operation and the like.