Review
Energy & Fuels
Stephane Abanades
Summary: The solar thermochemical two-step splitting of H2O and CO2 based on metal oxide compounds is a promising pathway for clean and efficient generation of hydrogen and renewable synthetic fuels. It eliminates the need for photocatalysts or intermediate electricity production, bypassing the main limitations of the low-efficient photochemical and electrochemical routes. The oxygen exchange capacity determines the fuel production output, and redox systems based on volatile and non-volatile metal oxides are particularly attractive.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christos Agrafiotis, Dennis Thomey, Lamark de Oliveira, George Karagiannakis, Nikolaos I. Tsongidis, Chrysoula Pagkoura, Goezde Alkan, Martin Roeb, Christian Sattler
Summary: Catalytic sulphur trioxide splitting is a crucial step in sulphur-based thermochemical cycles for hydrogen or solid sulphur production. Centrifugal particle solar receivers have been demonstrated to enable high-temperature allothermal implementation of this step. SO3 splitting catalytic systems in spherical particle, honeycomb, and foam shapes have been prepared and tested for this purpose.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Stephane Abanades, Anita Haeussler
Summary: The study of thermochemical redox activity using commercial-grade fibrous ceria pellets in solar reactors showed promising fuel production rates and yields. The fibrous ceria structures exhibited stable morphologies and high fuel production performance, making them a versatile option for packed-bed solar reactors.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alberto de la Calle, Ivan Ermanoski, Ellen B. B. Stechel
Summary: The efficiency of many processes depends on their thermodynamic reversibility, which means operating near equilibrium. In certain thermochemical cycles, approaching equilibrium is possible only at a specific temperature for the reaction step, and the temperature profile also depends on the gas and solid flow ratio.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aniket S. Patankar, Xiao-Yu Wu, Wonjae Choi, Harry L. Tuller, Ahmed F. Ghoniem
Summary: Solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) is a promising route for renewable fuel production, but efficiency and cost concerns need to be addressed. Thermochemical oxygen pumping (TcOP) has been shown to be more efficient than mechanical pumps, and direct oxygen transfer between STCH and TcOP reactors achieves the best performance. However, achieving very low reduction pressures with existing reactor systems remains challenging.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joshua D. Butson, Astha Sharma, Hongjun Chen, Yuan Wang, Yonghwan Lee, Purushothaman Varadhan, Mihalis N. Tsampas, Chuan Zhao, Antonio Tricoli, Hark Hoe Tan, Chennupati Jagadish, Siva Karuturi
Summary: The use of surface-structured cocatalyst foils allows for fully decoupled catalytic interfaces, achieving high efficiency and long-term stability for photoelectrodes in solar water splitting systems. The cocatalyst foils provide outstanding protection for the chemical-sensitive photoabsorbers, enabling stable photocurrent generation over multiple days and high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in immersed systems. This approach presents a promising method for fabricating high-performance solar water splitting systems.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Caroline M. Hill, Enrique A. Hernaiz, Philipp Furler, Simon Ackermann, Jonathan R. Scheffe
Summary: Zr-doped ceria and Sr-doped lanthanum manganese perovskites were studied as candidate redox materials for chemical-looping reforming of methane to produce syngas. The effect of these compositions on syngas selectivity, partial oxidation of methane rate, and yield in the temperature range of 800-1000 degrees C was explored. The selectivity to syngas during partial oxidation of methane is relatively high for all materials, typically above 85%.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Vishnu Kumar Budama, Juan Pablo Rincon Duarte, Martin Roeb, Christian Sattler
Summary: This article discusses the various routes available for hydrogen fuel production, with a focus on solar thermochemical cycles for water splitting. Solar thermochemical cycles have the potential to be a commercial-scale process for producing green hydrogen and CO in the future. However, there are challenges related to components and sub-processes that need to be addressed in order to make this technology technically and economically feasible. Specific technological aspects, such as particle heating methods and suitable redox materials, as well as the importance of heat recovery, are analyzed in detail as they significantly impact the overall efficiency and economics of the process. Current progress suggests that an efficient thermochemical cycle could be realized within the next few years if these limitations are overcome.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Austin M. K. Fehr, Ayush Agrawal, Faiz Mandani, Christian L. Conrad, Qi Jiang, So Yeon Park, Olivia Alley, Bor Li, Siraj Sidhik, Isaac Metcalf, Christopher Botello, James L. Young, Jacky Even, Jean Christophe Blancon, Todd G. Deutsch, Kai Zhu, Steve Albrecht, Francesca M. Toma, Michael Wong, Aditya D. Mohite
Summary: Researchers develop a conductive adhesive-barrier that enables halide perovskite-based photoelectrochemical cells to achieve record solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. This advancement paves the way for efficient, durable, and low-cost solar-driven water-splitting technology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenmin Wang, Bing Li, Hsin-Ju Yang, Yuzhi Liu, Lakshmanan Gurusamy, Lakshmanan Karuppasamy, Jerry J. Wu
Summary: Hydrogen is a sustainable and clean fuel that has attracted attention as an alternative to fossil fuels for alleviating global warming. The novel Cu/ZnS/COF composite photocatalyst demonstrated efficient hydrogen production due to its unique core-shell structure and abundant active sites.
Article
Thermodynamics
Mehdi Mehrpooya, Seyyed Hessamoddin Tabatabaei, Fathollah Pourfayaz, Bahram Ghorbani
Summary: Solar thermochemical reactors are considered for converting solar energy into solar fuel by adjusting the size of solar concentrator. In this study, the sizing of the solar concentrator is studied using Monte Carlo method to determine the best cavity size. The reactor converts intermediate metal to solar fuel and factors like heat transfer mechanisms, chemical reaction conditions are examined to optimize the design.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anita Haeussler, Anne Julbe, Stephane Abanades
Summary: The study evaluated suitable non-stoichiometric metal oxides for solar fuels production and found La0.5Sr0.5Mn0.9Mg0.1O3 to be a promising material.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alberto Boretti
Summary: The manuscript reviews thermochemical water-splitting cycles for producing hydrogen coupled with high temperature concentrated solar energy. The review shows that three-step cycles benefit the most from synergy with higher solar flux dispatchable concentrated solar power. Preliminary evaluations suggest that three-step cycles may enable CO2-free hydrogen production within a decade at a competitive cost.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Jiao Fan, Lu Buchu, Chen Chen, Dai Fei, Liu Taixiu, Liu Qibin
Summary: Hydrogen production via a solar driven two-step thermochemical cycle has attracted attention, but the low efficiency is caused by severe irreversible loss. This study proposes a thermodynamic model to understand the irreversibility and identifies the main cause of irreversible loss. It also suggests methods to reduce the irreversible loss and improve efficiency.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
V. K. Thanda, Th Fend, D. Laaber, A. Lidor, H. von Storch, J. P. Saeck, J. Hertel, J. Lampe, S. Menz, G. Piesche, S. Berger, S. Lorentzou, M. Syrigou, Th Denk, A. Gonzales-Pardo, A. Vidal, M. Roeb, Ch Sattler
Summary: This article describes the results of an experimental campaign on solar thermochemical water splitting via a two-stage redox cycle. By using a large-scale solar simulator, a combined receiver/reactor was able to produce hydrogen in a medium scale structured reactor.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
G. Pantoleontos, D. Koutsonikolas, S. Lorentzou, G. Karagiannakis, C. P. Lekkos, A. G. Konstandopoulos
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Y. S. Montenegro Camacho, S. Bensaid, S. Lorentzou, N. Vlachos, G. Pantoleontos, A. Konstandopoulos, M. Luneau, F. C. Meunier, N. Guilhaume, Y. Schuurman, E. Werzner, A. Herrmann, F. Rau, H. Krause, E. Rezaei, A. Ortona, S. Gianella, A. Khinslzy, M. Antonini, L. Marchisio, F. Vilardo, D. Trimis, D. Fino
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
G. Kastrinaki, S. Lorentzou, G. Karagiannakis, M. Rattenbury, J. Woodhead, A. G. Konstandopoulos
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christos Agrafiotis, Dennis Thomey, Lamark de Oliveira, Christoph Happich, Martin Roeb, Christian Sattler, Nikolaos I. Tsongidis, Kyriaki G. Sakellariou, Chrysoula Pagkoura, George Karagiannakis, Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos, Dana Pomykalska, Marek Zagaja, Dariusz Janus
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
D. E. Koutsonikolas, G. Pantoleontos, G. Karagiannakis, A. G. Konstandopoulos
Summary: This study utilized HybSi membranes modified by CVI to improve selectivity in hydrogen/carbon dioxide mixtures. Experimental results showed high hydrogen purity values could be achieved under various process conditions. The developed mathematical model can reliably predict hydrogen separation process performance and aid in optimization for process engineering purposes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Aggeliki Andreadelli, Spyros Petrakis, Antiopi Tsoureki, George Tsiolas, Sofia Michailidou, Penelope Baltzopoulou, Robert van Merkestein, Philip Hodgson, Mark Sceats, George Karagiannakis, Antonios M. Makris
Summary: Recent studies have shown that metal oxides and magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles have antibacterial properties, which can be applied in biomedicine and agriculture. By spraying hydrated MgO nanoparticles on tomato plants, researchers induced a stress gene response, altered the microbiota, and reduced the fungal load on the leaves, potentially explaining the observed resistance to pathogen attacks.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Dimitrios Koutsonikolas, George Karagiannakis, Konstantinos Plakas, Vasileios Chatzis, George Skevis, Paola Giudicianni, Davide Amato, Pino Sabia, Nikolaos Boukis, Katharina Stoll
Summary: Phytoremediation is an emerging concept for restoring contaminated soil using resilient plants. The contaminated biomass can be converted to energy carriers/chemicals through thermochemical processes such as Supercritical Water Gasification and Fast Pyrolysis. Purification technologies, including membrane gas absorption, electrooxidation/electrocoagulation, and microfiltration, are crucial for the successful integration of these conversion processes. Challenges, risks, and suitable strategies for implementing these purification technologies in the context of biomass-to-energy conversion are discussed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Triantafyllia K. Grekou, Dimitris E. Koutsonikolas, George Karagiannakis, Eustathios S. Kikkinides
Summary: Ceramic membranes have been evaluated and modified to enhance their gas separation performance, particularly in CO2 removal and H-2 recovery. The developed membranes show promising separation performance, achieving high H-2 purity at elevated temperatures and pressures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christos Agrafiotis, Dennis Thomey, Lamark de Oliveira, George Karagiannakis, Nikolaos I. Tsongidis, Chrysoula Pagkoura, Goezde Alkan, Martin Roeb, Christian Sattler
Summary: Catalytic sulphur trioxide splitting is a crucial step in sulphur-based thermochemical cycles for hydrogen or solid sulphur production. Centrifugal particle solar receivers have been demonstrated to enable high-temperature allothermal implementation of this step. SO3 splitting catalytic systems in spherical particle, honeycomb, and foam shapes have been prepared and tested for this purpose.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniele Versaci, Georgia Kastrinaki, George Ganas, Dimitrios Zarvalis, George Karagiannakis, Julia Amici, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo
Summary: Tin oxide has potential to replace graphite as anode material in lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, and availability. However, its large-scale application is limited due to capacity loss and poor cyclability. Recent research has shown that optimizing the size of SnO2 particles can improve the reversibility of electrochemical reactions. In this study, SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel method, resulting in specific capacity of 350 mAh g-1 and high cycling stability.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Grigorios Pantoleontos, Nickolas D. Vlachos, Souzana Lorentzou, George Karagiannakis, Nikolaos I. Tsongidis, Maria Syrigou, Sandro Gianella, Luca Ferrari, Alberto Ortona, Marco Pelanconi
Summary: A dynamic model of a catalyst-coated SiSiC monolithic structure is proposed for the autothermal reforming of biogas. The model includes a single channel 2-D representation and solves dimensionless mass and energy transport equations. The model is verified using literature kinetics data and can be used for experiment design and process optimization.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL ADVANCES
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Athanassios Nikolakopoulos, Theodore Steriotis, Georgia Charalambopoulou, George Karagiannakis, Dimitrios Dimitrakis, Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos, Vasileios Michalis, Marios Katsiotis
Summary: The SOLCEMENT process utilizes concentrated solar radiation for limestone calcination in cement plants, and incorporates a thermal storage reactor to partly compensate for the intermittency of sunlight, reducing fossil fuel consumption.
SOLARPACES 2020 - 26TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER AND CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Souzana Lorentzou, Alexandra Zygogianni, Chrysoula Pagkoura, George Karagiannakis, Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos, Jan Peter Saeck, Stefan Breuer, Matthias Lange, Justin Lapp, Thomas Fend, Martin Roeb, Aurelio Jose Gonzalez, Alfonso Vidal Delgado, Jan Peter Brouwer, Robert C. Makkus, Spyros J. Kiartzis
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER AND CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS (SOLARPACES 2017)
(2018)
Proceedings Paper
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
G. Ganas, G. Kastrinaki, D. Zarvalis, G. Karagiannakis, A. G. Konstandopoulos, D. Versaci, S. Bodoardo
MATERIALS TODAY-PROCEEDINGS
(2018)
