Review of interface solar-driven steam generation systems: High-efficiency strategies, applications and challenges. (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Qichen; Liang, Xuechen; Yan, Chongyuan; Liu, Yizhen
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 283(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: Interface solar-driven steam generation -- High-efficiency strategies -- Desalination -- Application and challenge; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Introduce the latest technology of Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). Highlight various advanced high-efficiency strategies. Comprehensive high-efficiency strategies are the key to higher efficient evaporation. Discuss the latest application progress of the ISSG system. Improving energy efficiency and reducing costs are the challenges in applications. Abstract: The interface solar-driven steam generation technology is a new type of solar energy utilization technology that can simultaneously meet the needs of energy, environment, and freshwater. In recent years, this technology has attracted widespread attention and research. With the increasingly advanced high-efficiency strategy, the interface solar-driven steam generation system's performance is rapidly improving. This review discusses this system's latest developments in various high-efficiency strategies from three perspectives: light absorption, heat utilization, and water and salt control. By analyzing these high-efficiency strategies' progress and the deficiencies of the systems, it is recommended that future research should pay more attention to (1) the application of comprehensive high-efficiency strategies, (2) unified testing and efficiency calculation specifications, and (3) system stability and cost. Subsequently, this technology's latest applications in seawater desalination, sterilization, sewage treatment, and water and electricity cogeneration are discussed. After the above discussion, the review further analyzes the current systems' challenges in different practical applications and puts forward suggestions to deal with them.