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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

CO2 Photoreduction to CH4 Performance Under Concentrating Solar Light
Published on: June 12, 2019
Solar-driven thermochemical conversion of H2O and CO2 into sustainable fuels
Linyang Wei1,2, Zhefei Pan1, Xingyi Shi1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract:
Solar-driven thermochemical conversion of H2O and CO2 into sustainable fuels, based on redox cycle, provides a promising path for alternative energy, as it employs the solar energy as high-temperature heat supply and adopts H2O and CO2 as initial feedstock. This review describes the sustainable fuels production system, including a series of physical and chemical processes for converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of sustainable fuels. Detailed working principles, redox materials, and key devices are reviewed and discussed to provide systematic and in-depth understanding of thermochemical fuels production with the aid of concentrated solar power technology. In addition, limiting factors affecting the solar-to-fuel efficiency are analyzed; meanwhile, the improvement technologies (heat recovery concepts and designs) are summarized. This study therefore sets a pathway for future research works based on the current status and demand for further development of such technologies on a commercial scale.
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