Sparc Hydrogen aims to test a prototype photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) reactor at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, which could help provide green hydrogen for transport.
The joint venture between The University of Adelaide, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Sparc Technologies has a “kick-start” agreement with the CSIRO to undertake on-sun testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s reactor there in Q3 2023.
Key aims of this work are to advance the technology readiness level of Sparc Hydrogen’s PWS reactor and provide data and information for the subsequent piloting phase.
“Sparc is delighted to be working with our Sparc Hydrogen partners, The University of Adelaide, FFI and Flinders University, to undertake this testing with the CSIRO, in what we believe to be a world leading demonstration of photocatalytic water splitting in a concentrated solar field,” says Sparc Technologies executive chairman Stephen Hunt.
“Completion of this test work will be a significant milestone, not only for Sparc Hydrogen, but more widely for the advancement of photocatalytic water splitting, a next generation green hydrogen production technology which does not require capital intensive electrolysers nor solar or wind farms.”
Prototype testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s reactor in real world conditions is the culmination of more than five years of research and development work by the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
Laboratory proof of concept has been successfully established with testing showing a hydrogen production and efficiency benefit from exposing certain photocatalyst materials to concentrated light and heat.
A high-power solar simulator has recently been acquired from the United States to continue to advance the laboratory work in parallel with prototyping and pilot plant development.
The CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle is home to Australia’s largest solar thermal research hub which comprises a 30-metre-high solar tower surrounded by a 4000 square metre field of 451 locally manufactured custom designed mirrors (heliostats) and is capable of generating temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Celsius.
Sparc Hydrogen has received $28,688 funding through the CSIRO Kick-Start Program to contribute towards the costs of the prototype testing.
Design of the prototype reactor module is complete and construction has begun.
Sparc Hydrogen aims to start prototype set-up at the CSIRO in late July 2023 with results to be gathered over about four weeks. A second round of testing later in the year will be considered pending results.
It recently received a research and development (R&D) tax refund of $418,655 as part of the Australian Government’s R&D tax incentive.
Sparc Technologies has offices in Australia, Europe and North America and is also developing sodium-ion battery technology in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology.
