Proceedings of Materials for Sustainable Development Conference (MAT-SUS) (NFM22)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.nfm.2022.355
Publication date: 11th July 2022
FlowPhotoChem Project, managed by Josep Albero.
FlowPhotoChem aims to develop and model an integrated modular system based on continuous-flow heterogeneous photo(electro)catalytic reactors to produce relevant chemicals, such as ethylene, among many other high-value chemicals, using abundant resources such as water, carbon dioxide and light.
EU-funded research project that is developing new and better ways to manufacture chemicals using carbon dioxide (CO2) and sunlight. There is great potential to replace much of the fossil fuels used today to make fuels and useful chemicals, by using solar energy and advanced catalysts to convert CO2 into, for example, ethylene, as a precursor for plastics.
FlowPhotoChem addresses the key challenges to achieving this – more effective solar light management, more efficient reactors, and more durable catalysts.
FlowPhotoChem is building and demonstrating new technology to convert CO2 into ethylene using concentrated sunlight. We achieve this by combining the following innovations: Intensely concentrated sunlight. A modular assembly of different types of flow chemical reactors. New catalysts, that are cheaper and more durable than today’s best catalysts. Extensive use of computer modelling to configure, optimise and manage the reactors.