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The Solar Chemistry Task encompasses activities that deal with solar-driven
thermochemical and photochemical processes for:
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Production of energy carriers
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Processing of chemical commodities
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Detoxification and recycling of waste
materials.
Solar energy can be converted into chemical fuels, which can be stored long-term
and transported long distances. Solar energy can also assist in processing
energy-intensive and high-temperature materials, treating polluted air, water,
and soil, and recycling waste materials. These applications are examples of how
solar chemistry can address the energy and environmental problems facing the
world.
The Solar Chemistry Task coordinates international efforts in research,
development, and demonstration of solar chemical technologies through cost,
task, and information sharing activities. This goal is being achieved by making
use of an efficient network, through National Coordinators (NCs), for the rapid
exchange of technical and scientific information. In 2006, we welcomed Alan
Weimer as the new NC for the USA. We gratefully acknowledge the service given by
the former NC, Allan Lewandowski.
In 2006, solar chemistry research was presented at three major international
conferences:
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13th SolarPACES International Symposium,
Seville, Spain, June 20-23, 2006: 14 papers and 4 posters were presented on
solar fuels; 6 papers dealt with solar water detoxification and
disinfection.
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16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC),
Lyon, France, June 13-16, 2006: 12 conference papers were presented on solar
hydrogen production.
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ISEC2006 – ASME International Solar Energy
Conference, Denver, CO, USA, July 8-13, 2006: 18 papers were presented on
solar chemistry and hydrogen production.
The following chapter summarizes the most important achievements in 2006 and
provides a comprehensive overview of the many ways in which solar chemical
technologies may be used for the delivery of clean, sustainable energy services.
Systematic development of three solar concentrating optical configurations,
trough, tower, and dish, has led to the ability to harness concentrated solar
energy efficiently, producing fuels and chemicals for the power, transportation
and chemical sectors of the world energy economy. Non-concentrating solar
technologies may also be applied advantageously to photochemistry. Research is
classified according to its objectives into three domains (sub-tasks):
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Task II.1. Solar
production of chemical energy carriers: Solar hydrogen; solar reforming
of natural gas; solar reduction of metal oxides; solar conversion of
carbonaceous materials; solar cracking of hydrocarbons; solar chemical heat
pipes.
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Task II.2. SOLAR
PROCESSING OF CHEMICAL COMMODITIES: Solar production of metals,
hydrogen, synthesis gas, carbon filaments, fullerenes, lime, cement, and
other fine and bulk chemicals.
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Task II.3. SOLAR
DETOXIFICATION AND RECYCLING OF WASTE MATERIALS: Solar detoxification of
contaminated water, soil, and air; solar recycling of hazardous waste and of
secondary raw materials.
The most important achievements in 2006 are summarized with up-to-date
information about project participation, objectives, status, and relevant
publications. The focus of the work was on Task II.1 Solar production of
chemical energy carriers, in particular hydrogen and synthesis gas, and Task
II.3, SOLAR DETOXIFICATION AND RECYCLING OF WASTE MATERIALS, with emphasis on
detoxification and disinfection of contaminated water.
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