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Fuel Cell Reactors for the Clean Cogeneration of Electrical Energy and Value-Added Chemicals. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00168-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFuel cell reactors can be tailored to simultaneously cogenerate value-added chemicals and electrical energy while releasing negligible CO2 emissions or other pollution; moreover, some of these reactors can even “breathe in” poisonous gas as feedstock. Such clean cogeneration favorably offsets the fast depletion of fossil fuel resources and eases growing environmental concerns. These unique reactors inherit advantages from fuel cells: a high energy conversion efficiency and high selectivity. Compared with similar energy conversion devices with sandwich structures, fuel cell reactors have successfully “hit three birds with one stone” by generating power, producing chemicals, and maintaining eco-friendliness. In this review, we provide a systematic summary on the state of the art regarding fuel cell reactors and key components, as well as the typical cogeneration reactions accomplished in these reactors. Most strategies fall short in reaching a win–win situation that meets production demand while concurrently addressing environmental issues. The use of fuel cells (FCs) as reactors to simultaneously produce value-added chemicals and electrical power without environmental pollution has emerged as a promising direction. The FC reactor has been well recognized due to its “one stone hitting three birds” merit, namely, efficient chemical production, electrical power generation, and environmental friendliness. Fuel cell reactors for cogeneration provide multidisciplinary perspectives on clean chemical production, effective energy utilization, and even pollutant treatment, with far-reaching implications for the wider scientific community and society. The scope of this review focuses on unique reactors that can convert low-value reactants and/or industrial wastes to value-added chemicals while simultaneously cogenerating electrical power in an environmentally friendly manner.
Graphical Abstract
A schematic diagram for the concept of fuel cell reactors for cogeneration of electrical energy and value-added chemicals
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Ibrahim OA, Navarro-Segarra M, Sadeghi P, Sabaté N, Esquivel JP, Kjeang E. Microfluidics for Electrochemical Energy Conversion. Chem Rev 2022; 122:7236-7266. [PMID: 34995463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemical energy conversion is an important supplement for storage and on-demand use of renewable energy. In this regard, microfluidics offers prospects to raise the efficiency and rate of electrochemical energy conversion through enhanced mass transport, flexible cell design, and ability to eliminate the physical ion-exchange membrane, an essential yet costly element in conventional electrochemical cells. Since the 2002 invention of the microfluidic fuel cell, the research field of microfluidics for electrochemical energy conversion has expanded into a great variety of cell designs, fabrication techniques, and device functions with a wide range of utility and applications. The present review aims to comprehensively synthesize the best practices in this field over the past 20 years. The underlying fundamentals and research methods are first summarized, followed by a complete assessment of all research contributions wherein microfluidics was proactively utilized to facilitate energy conversion in conjunction with electrochemical cells, such as fuel cells, flow batteries, electrolysis cells, hybrid cells, and photoelectrochemical cells. Moreover, emerging technologies and analytical tools enabled by microfluidics are also discussed. Lastly, opportunities for future research directions and technology advances are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar A Ibrahim
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada.,Fuelium S.L., Edifici Eureka, Av. Can Domènech S/N, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain
| | - Marina Navarro-Segarra
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain
| | - Pardis Sadeghi
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada
| | - Neus Sabaté
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Esquivel
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain.,BCMaterials, Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, 48940 Leioa, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Erik Kjeang
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada
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Hardwick T, Ahmed N. Advances in electro- and sono-microreactors for chemical synthesis. RSC Adv 2018; 8:22233-22249. [PMID: 35541743 PMCID: PMC9081238 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03406k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The anatomy of electrochemical flow microreactors is important to safely perform chemical reactions in order to obtain pure and high yielding substances in a controlled and precise way that excludes the use of supporting electrolytes. Flow microreactors are advantageous in handling unstable intermediates compared to batch techniques and have efficient heat/mass transfer. Electrode nature (cathode and anode) and their available exposed surface area to the reaction mixture, parameters of the spacer, flow rate and direction greatly affects the efficiency of the electrochemical reactor. Solid formation during reactions may result in a blockage and consequently decrease the overall yield, thus limiting the use of microreactors in the field of electrosynthesis. This problem could certainly be overcome by application of ultrasound to break the solids for consistent flow. In this review, we discuss in detail the aforementioned issues, the advances in microreactor technology for chemical synthesis, with possible application of sonochemistry to deal with solid formations. Various examples of flow methods for electrosynthesis through microreactors have been explained in this review, which would definitely help to meet future demands for efficient synthesis and production of various pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Hardwick
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University Main Building, Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT UK
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University Main Building, Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT UK
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Atobe M, Tateno H, Matsumura Y. Applications of Flow Microreactors in Electrosynthetic Processes. Chem Rev 2017; 118:4541-4572. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahito Atobe
- Department of Environment and System Sciences, Yokohama National University, Tokiwadai 79-7, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tateno
- Department of Environment and System Sciences, Yokohama National University, Tokiwadai 79-7, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Matsumura
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University, Jonan 4-3-16, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
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