Continuing with SOLDAC developments: Ethylene is produced with the PEC prototype in UdL
In April 2025, the Photo-Electrochemical Conversion (PEC) unit was successfully shipped, installed and tested at the University of Lleida (UdL). Experts from IREC and UdL collaborated on the integrated testing of the “cold” photon flow from the Full Spectrum Solar system and the PEC prototype for the on-site conversion of CO2. The system operated under stable conditions for over 2 hours, achieving ethylene production.
Figure 1. Pictures of the PEC prototype installed at UdL and tests performed with the incident cold photons from the FSS
Gas samples produced during the experiments were collected using sampling bags and later analyzed off-site by gas chromatography. The analysis confirmed the production of ethylene from the experimental tests carried out at UdL.
Figure 2. Pictures of one cell (25 cm2) of the PEC prototype showing the photoanode side (left), the PEC prototype and the FSS unit at UdL (center), and the GC signal showing the presence of ethylene at the gas outlet from the experiments (right)
Written by: Andrés García Blanco – IREC
