Solar Photocatalytic Processes for the Purification of Water: State of Development and Barriers to Commercialization

Yves Parent, Daniel Blake, Kim Magrini-Bair, Carol Lyons, Craig Turchi, Andy Watt, Edward Wolfrum, Michael Prairie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Semiconductor-based photocatalytic processes for removing hazardous chemicals from contaminated water have been studied for nearly 20 years. One goal of this research is to use the sun as the light source. This article assesses the state of development of solar heterogeneous photocatalytic processes for treating contaminated water and identifies key barriers that must be overcome for the technology to achieve commercial success. Some industry members estimate that the cost of using solar technology for waste treatment will need to be less than half the cost of a 'conventional' technology in order to gain market acceptance. The number of applications that are near commercial viability could be expanded with significant progress in the improvement of the photo-efficiency of the pholtocatalytic process.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)429-437
Number of pages9
JournalSolar Energy
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-471-8187

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