The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System is a reaction device that converts solar energy into chemical energy, consisting of photovoltaic power generation system, reaction system, and control system.
The photovoltaic power generation system transforms solar energy into electricity, storing it in a battery. The voltage control of the power source module adjusts the output current of the battery to meet reaction conditions. The reaction module can split water into hydrogen and oxygen through photocatalytic or electrocatalytic reactions, achieving the final energy conversion. The control system regulates reaction conditions and monitors reaction status. This green and sustainable hydrogen production method not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also offers endless possibilities for future energy reserves.
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System has the following main structure:
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System, as an instrument that provides environmentally friendly and efficient hydrogen production capabilities, has broad application prospects. It can not only supply hydrogen for green energy but also be applied in fields such as fuel cells, energy storage systems, and industrial production.
Key features include:
1. Sun Tracking
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System is equipped with a solar radiation detector, which can real-time measure the solar radiation intensity in the environment where the photovoltaic panel is located. It adjusts the tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel based on the radiation intensity to maximize the utilization of solar energy.
2. Efficient Utilization
The reactor of The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System has a plate-like structure, effectively increasing the surface area of the electrode catalytic material. This allows the catalyst to make more effective contact with the reactants. The thin-layer structure of the reactor reduces the problem of uneven distribution of reactants due to low diffusion rates, reducing side reactions and improving product selectivity. The flow system of the reactor can enhance the transfer rate of electrons and protons during the catalytic process, thereby improving the reaction rate.
3. Energy Saving and Environmental Protection
The required energy for The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System comes from the sun, and the reaction process does not produce greenhouse gases. Compared to other methods of power generation such as thermal power, photovoltaic power generation has lower environmental impact, making it known as "green electricity." The generated electricity is used to produce clean energy hydrogen through photoelectric (electrochemical) catalysis, aligning with the concept of green development.
4. Real-time Monitoring
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System can real-time monitor parameters such as radiation intensity, voltage, current, hydrogen production, pH value, and temperature. This enables adjusting reaction conditions and optimizing reaction efficiency.
5. Graded Circulation
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System uses a micro-pump to drive liquid flow, ensuring sufficient contact between the reaction solution and the electrode. At the same time, a gas pump is configured at the product end to timely separate and collect the gas products generated during the reaction process from the liquid, effectively improving circulation efficiency and reaction rate.
6. Flexible Design
The Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System can customize the reactor size, circulation power system, and monitoring system according to requirements, meeting the needs of different application scenarios.
1. Special Customization for Nanjing University's 120th Anniversary Celebration
The custom Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System used by Nanjing University features large-sized electrodes, with an effective area of up to 1 m² for the anode. The large electrode size brings considerable reaction speed.
In addition, the electrode and photovoltaic panel rotate in sync, with a built-in sun tracking function, ensuring that the sunlight efficiency is at a high level, and the hydrogen production rate can reach 15 L/h.
The system is also equipped with a high-definition camera. Through Wi-Fi connection, it can observe the generated hydrogen in real-time while monitoring parameters, allowing for in-situ microscopic observation.
| Electrode Size | Anode | 1 m² |
| Cathode | 0.5 m² | |
| Power Output | Current | 0~50 A |
| Voltage | 0~12 V | |
| Proton Exchange Membrane | DuPont proton exchange membrane | |
| Reactor Size | 1760 mm × 820 mm × 30 mm | |
| 725 mm × 820 mm × 30 mm | ||
| System Size | Occupied Area | 1850 mm × 1850 mm |
| Weight | 200 kg | |
| Angle Adjustment Range | 0~50° Sun tracking, synchronous rotation of photovoltaic panel and reaction chamber | |
| Liquid Flow Rate | 0~2 L/min | |
| Hydrogen Production Rate | 15 L/h | |
2. North China Electric Power University
North China Electric Power University customized both the PLR-PVERS Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System and the Solar Photovoltaic Electrochemical Reaction System. Compared to the photovoltaic electrochemical reaction system, the photovoltaic photochemical reaction system couples a perspective reactor for photocatalytic water splitting based on photovoltaic power generation.
The thin-layer structure used in the photovoltaic photochemical reaction system not only reduces solution thickness, improving sunlight transmittance but also addresses the issue of uneven reactant distribution caused by low diffusion rates.
The innovative 3×3 array structure is used for placing the photoelectrodes in the reactor. It fixes 9 pieces of 80 mm × 80 mm photoelectrodes inside a 250 mm × 250 mm reactor, avoiding the problem of uneven surfaces of photoelectrode materials caused by large photoelectrode areas. This maximizes the stability of the photoelectrode panel and the specific surface area of the photoelectrocatalytic material, achieving higher decomposition catalytic efficiency.
| Electrode Size | Anode | Titanium Fiber Felt Coated with Ruthenium Iridium Electrode 250 mm× 250 mm× 0.4 mm | |
| Cathode | 250 mm× 250 mm 60-mesh Nickel Mesh 250 mm× 250 mm× 0.5 mm Foam Nickel | ||
| Power Output | Current | 0~60 A | |
| Voltage | 0~4 V | ||
| Current Density | 96 mA/cm² | ||
| Proton Exchange Membrane | 280 mm × 280 mm × 0.5 mm | ||
| Reactor Size | 380 mm × 380 mm × 50 mm | ||
| System Size | Length Width Height | 920 mm× 950 mm× 970 mm | |
| Occupied Area | 1850 mm×1850 mm | ||
| Weight | 40 kg | ||
| Photovoltaic Panel | Maximum Tilt Angle 1870 mm× 990 mm× 2100 mm Horizontal Placement 1875 mm× 990 mm× 1300 mm | ||
| Reactor Angle Adjustment Range | 0~90° | ||
| Photovoltaic Panel Adjustment Range | Horizontal Direction | -120~120° | |
| Pitch Rotation | 20~90° | ||
| Liquid Flow Rate | 0～2 L/min | ||
| Hydrogen Production Rate | 24 L/h | ||
