LUMINESCENT SOLAR CONCENTRATOR FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Data di pubblicazione
07-09-2019Codice
CH.19.008.AStato
LicenziatoData di priorità
01-01-1970Fase
ItalianTitolare
Politecnico di MilanoDipartimento
Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical EngineeringAutori
Griffini Gianmarco; Magagnin Luca; Panzeri Gabriele; Tatsi ElisavetDescrizione
The invention consists in the use of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) coupled with solar cells, in series and / or parallel, as an energy conversion device for the production of hydrogen through water electrolysis. The LSC is connected to an electrochemical cell, for example to store energy through the production of hydrogen, to recharge a conventional battery or to recharge a flow battery.
The invention refers to the application of a solar energy conversion device, based on a luminescent concentrator, to the production of hydrogen by electrolysis. In particular, the apparatus consists of a luminescent solar concentrator to which several solar cells are integrated, whose poles are externally connected to an electrochemical cell or directly immersed in a water-based electrolyte. When illuminated, the device generates sufficient driving force to perform electrolysis, producing hydrogen. The system can be also integrated with other electrochemical storage systems such as batteries. Solar cells can be connected in a module. The number of solar cells in a module can vary depending on the photovoltaic technology considered (Si, CIGS, CdTe, CZTS, GaAs, hybrids, etc.). The voltage generated must be greater than the thermodynamic barrier necessary to promote the electrochemical reaction.