APPLICATION OF FIBER OPTICS IN THE HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION BY PHOTOELECTROLYSIS

This paper presents an alternative way to transmit concentrated solar energy which may be applied in the hydrogen production by photoelectro lysis. It is possible to obtain high efficiency in the photoelectroche mical conversion systems with a simple structural design. The basic id ea is to place an optical fiber in a paraboloidal mirror receptor plan e. The concentrated solar energy is transmitted for a few meters by to tal internal reflection. The appropriate conditions existing between a paraboloidal mirror (reflective surface, Ag or Al) and an optical fib er (low doping, commercial type) is studied. The theoretical efficienc y of the conversion system is obtained and analyzed. (C) 1998 Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the International Association f or Hydrogen Energy.