Photocathode materials for photo-electrochemical reactors
Student: Clara Alivisatos
Supervisors: Professor Geoff Kelsall, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Franky Bedoya Lora, Department of Chemical Engineering
Scale-up photo-electrical systems can prove to be useful technology for solar power conversion, aiding in the transition away from carbon emitting fuels. The deploy and commercialisation of photo-electrochemical devices requires photo-electrode materials to be stable, inexpensive, and efficient, produced by scalable routes. This thesis focuses on the selection of photo-cathode semiconductor and substrate materials, and their fabrication methods to support unassisted solar water splitting within a photo-electrochemical cell.
Hybrid system of solar and biomass energy for dairy farms in Argentina
Student: Carolina Alvarez Crisorio Blanchet
Supervisors: Dr Marco Pantaleo, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Koen van Dam, Department of Chemical Engineering
Argentina's new environmental targets together with a government decision to decrease the subsidies on energy inspired this project. The aim of this thesis is to develop a model in AIMMS to size a hybrid grid-connected PV and biomass system for a dairy farm in Buenos Aires’ rural area and determine the feasibility of the project. A first analysis of the available technologies and the potential energy production is presented, followed by a cost-efficient optimization defining the system capacity. Finally, a sensitivity analysis with different operational, economic and political scenarios and installation characteristics is developed.
Modelling a spectral splitting photovoltaic-thermal solar system in a residential building
Student: Ioannis Argyris
Supervisors: Dr Christos Markides, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Kai Wang, Department of Chemical Engineering
This project investigates a relatively new technique called spectral beam splitting implemented on hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar systems in order to increase their efficiency. The idea is to lead only the useful wavelength of the solar spectrum to the PV cells for the electricity generation in order to avoid the undesired increase in their temperature which causes a decrease in their efficiency. The rest is used directly for water heating. The examined configuration consists of two channels for the circulation of water, one below the PV cells and one above, and the splitting occurs through the water being used as an optical filter. This PVT unit was modelled in MATLAB as a part of a wider system in a residential building consisting of a water storage tank with an immersion heat exchanger and an auxiliary heater. Using real climate data from London and electricity and domestic hot water demands of a typical UK house the performance of this system was evaluated.
An experimental investigation of the spectral beam splitting approach in PV/T systems
Student: Issam Mneimne
Supervisors: Dr Christos Markides, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Kai Wang, Department of Chemical Engineering
The purpose of this research is to improve the overall efficiency of hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems that didn’t have the chance yet to penetrate the market. The main reason for the slow growth of these systems is due to the tradeoff in the performance for either electrical or heat production. These systems are usually designed specifically with an electrical or thermal bias by optimizing the flow rate. To overcome this tradeoff, an optical filter is used in this research, that is able to split the solar spectrum and direct the desired part of the spectrum to either the electrical system or the thermal system. The effectiveness of this technique is investigated by carrying out two experiments, one using nanotechnology and the other using heat absorbing glass.
Towards the measurement of multiphase flows with phase change in horizontal pipes
Student: Johannes Smith Sormin
Supervisors: Dr Christos Markides, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Victor Voulgaropoulos, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ms Hannah Moran, Department of Chemical Engineering
This is an experimental project towards the investigation of multiphase flows in horizontal pipes. It will develop a flow pattern map of two phase air-water at adiabatic condition at the first experimental rig which use FEP horizontal pipes. Afterwards the project will be continued by constructing and running the initial testing and commissioning of the second experimental rig. The second rig will be able to examine the diabatic flow pattern map of Direct Steam Generation (DSG) method in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of fluid inside the horizontal steel pipe. The project is a collaborative activity and is part of 5-year/£1M Royal Society-Department for International Development funded Africa Capacity Building Initiative to develop CSP and DSG technology.
'Experimental Design And Investigations Towards Multiphase Flows With Phase Change In Horizontal Pipes
Student: Tangheng Zhu
Supervisors: Dr Christos Markides, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Victor Voulgaropoulos, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ms Hannah Moran, Department of Chemical Engineering, Mr Mohammed Fazel, Department of Chemical Engineering
This project consists of two experiments, one for finding flow regime maps for Two Phase Flow (mainly gas-liquid) and the other for finding flow regime maps for Boiling Flow (rig is currently under construction). These two experiments are especially useful in the oil and gas industry and energy production industry. This project is a collaborative activity and is part of a broader 5-year/£1M Royal Society/Department for International Development funded Africa Capacity Building Initiative project aiming to develop CSP and DSG technology.