Performance analysis and methodology for replacing conventional lamps by optimized LED arrays for photocatalytic processes

Abstract

One of the main drawbacks of heterogeneous photocatalysis is the high consumption of electrical energy generated by conventional lamps. This study proposes a methodology to find the best distribution of light emitting diodes (LEDs), i.e., the least amount of elements, and the optimum distance between them in order to substitute conventional lamps in photocatalytic processes, and a performance analysis in terms of energetic efficiency, using for this the Electric energy per order (EEO) Figure-of-merit and the cost results for the degradation of the textile reactive dye Orange PX-2R by means of UV/TiO2 process, using conventional lamps and different geometrical patterns of LED arrays. The obtained experimental results show that it is possible to replace sources of high-energy consumption by UV-LED arrays adapted to the specific needs for a given photocatalytic reactor obtaining suitable oxidation results, and the rate of decolorization obtained is similar to the results obtained with conventional lamps; however the UV-LEDs require 70% less electrical energy (178 vs 628 kWh/m3/order) than UV-lamps. Consequently, the use of UV-LEDs enables to degrade 3.5 times more dye with the current energy consumption of UV lamps. Finally, the proper choice for an array can generate additional energy savings.