Name
Light at the end of the pipe: the emerging role of photolytic reactors in the water-energy-nexus.
Description
Photolytic reactors have emergent applications in wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) related to the water-energy-nexus. One example is low-energy reforming of digester biogas into syngas as precursor to producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The advantage of photolysis in this application is the ability to also valorize the carbon dioxide in the biogas and with better overall energetics than alternatives ways of producing SAF from syngas. Another advantage of photolysis is reduced cost and greater resilience compared to catalysts used in conventional electrolysis that utilize precious metals and are prone to poisoning by impurities. Also, the process is far more efficient than hydrolysis at WRRFs as part of the transition to the hydrogen economy. This presentation will provide an overview of the theory of operation and performance of photolytic reactor technology along with case-studies of full-scale commercial deployment. The presenters will discuss opportunities and the challenges with the current state of technology that must be overcome to support widespread deployment for WRRFs. This presentation will be of interest to those interested in emerging technologies in the water-energy-nexus space.
Authors
Paul Knowles, Hazen and Sawyer, USA