Sparc Hydrogen has completed the first phase of on-sun prototype testing at the CSIRO Energy Centre, marking the first demonstration of Sparc Hydrogen’s photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) reactor outside the laboratory.
The primary goals of this effort were to raise Sparc Hydrogen’s PWS reactor’s technology readiness level (TRL) from 4 to 5 and to give significant data and knowledge for pilot plant reactor design. These objectives were met through multiple trial runs that produced hydrogen gas, and the testing revealed various reactor design adjustments that would be included in future versions of the PWS reactor.
“Sparc is very pleased to have successfully completed this round of prototype testing with our Sparc Hydrogen partners, The University of Adelaide, Fortescue and Flinders University, at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle. The data and learnings from the repeated on-sun trials are invaluable and will improve reactor design as we continue to scale the technology towards a pilot plant,” Sparc Technologies Executive Chair Stephen Hunt said.
“Completion of this test work is 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,” Hunt added.
Sparc Hydrogen acknowledges the CSIRO Kick-Start Program’s support in funding prototype testing costs. The program aims to help Australian start-ups and small businesses access CSIRO’s research expertise for growth and development. Sparc Hydrogen plans to conduct another prototype testing round at the CSIRO Energy Centre during H1 2024, as specified in its Kick-Start application.
Sparc Hydrogen is working with an external consultant to complete a pilot plant pre-FEED study near Adelaide. The study will include concept flowsheet design, equipment selection, costs, risks, and opportunities for a pilot plant. The plant will enable continuous on-sun testing of Sparc Hydrogen’s PWS reactor, increasing technology readiness for TRL 6. The study will provide valuable information for grant applications and form the basis for detailed design and engineering in 2024.
