Engineering of solar photocatalytic collectors

Abstract

This paper briefly describes the different collectors used in solar photocatalysis for wastewater treatment and, based on prior experience, the main advantages and disadvantages of each. As the tubular-shape reactor configuration is the most appropriate for handling and pumping water, the compound parabolic collector (CPC) is proposed as an interesting combination of parabolic concentrators and flat static systems and constitutes a good option for solar photochemical applications. The design of compound parabolic concentrators for solar photocatalytic applications is described in detail and 25–50 mm is proposed as the optimum photoreactor diameter, based on the optical characteristics and optimum concentration of the two photocatalytic systems (TiO 2 and photo-Fenton) that can be used with sunlight for wastewater treatment. It has been demonstrated that since aluminium is the only metal that is highly reflective in the ultraviolet spectrum of solar radiation, aluminium-based mirrors are the best option. But, especially when exposed to outdoor conditions, aluminium must be protected and, therefore, at the present time, anodised and electropolished aluminium surfaces are considered the most suitable solutions. As the photochemical reactor contain the working fluid, including the catalyst, it must transmit UV sunlight efficiently and be able to work under enough pressure to handle the high volumes resulting from the large number of collectors in an industrial treatment plant, only low-iron glass is proposed as feasible for constructing the photoreactor (collector absorbers). Finally, ray-tracing algorithm simulations are presented as a design tool for the optical configuration of a particular reactor, drawing conclusions for its improvement and assisting in final engineering decision-making.