ELECTROCHEMICAL-DRIVEN INTEGRATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER TREATMENT AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Abstract

This thesis examines the integration of renewable energy with water treatment for sustainable environmental management and energy production, focusing on electrochemical-driven technologies for water purification and hydrogen generation. Highlighting the critical need for eco-friendly energy solutions to address water scarcity and pollution, the research demonstrates significant advancements in using titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated substrates. These coatings substantially enhance system efficiency, evidenced by increased exergy values under varying light conditions, and facilitate dual functionalities: hydrogen production and dye removal from wastewater, with up to 99% efficiency on FTO glass substrates. Further exploration into the incorporation of bipolar membranes and ion exchange resins within a photoelectrochemical reactor underscores improvements in dye removal efficiency and system sustainability, achieving a Faraday efficiency of over 93%. The thesis also introduces an innovative integration of reverse osmosis desalination with Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) and Photochloro-alkali (PCA) processes, augmented by a Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) subsystem. This approach not only offers efficient brine management and hydrogen production but also attains notable energy and exergy efficiencies of 69.2% and 22.4% respectively, showcasing the potential of this integrated system in enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability

Date of Award	2024
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Science and Engineering