Comparing the efficiency of solar water treatment: Photovoltaic-LED vs compound parabolic collector photoreactors

This work analyses how to optimise efficiency in the use of solar light for different UV-based photochemical water treatment processes. The direct sunlight state-of-the-art compound parabolic collector (CPC) photoreactors is compared with energy electricity generation photovoltaic (PV) power systems feed LED lighting sources. Seven processes (CPC, PV-UVA LED, PV-UVC CPC+TiO2, CPC+H2O2, LED+TiO2 and PV–UVC LED+H2O2) were investigated, both oxidation chemicals inactivation bacteria. results showed that, chemicals, best yield (in terms photons) achieved by LED+H2O2 process. However, low electrical current UVC sources makes CPC+TiO2 process most efficient light. In contrast, bacterial inactivation, significantly higher effectiveness spectral range damaging DNA sunlight. When costs are considered, may be chemical oxidation, while could inactivation. These findings highlight need evaluate optimal approach reactor engineering applications water-energy nexus, since strongly depends on available PV technology, which can expected largely improved near future.