Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery

The textile industry is one of the most water-intensive sectors, responsible for around 20% of global industrial water pollution, largely from dyeing and finishing processes. Electrochemical treatment has proven effective for dye degradation and water decolouration, with the additional benefit of pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Author: De Múller Mallol, Ernest
Format: Master's thesis
Publication date:2025
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/444118
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/444118
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Water - Electrolysis
Hydrogen
Aigua--Electròlisi
Hidrogen
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria tèxtil
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author De Múller Mallol, Ernest
author_browse De Múller Mallol, Ernest
author_facet De Múller Mallol, Ernest
author_role author
collection UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
description The textile industry is one of the most water-intensive sectors, responsible for around 20% of global industrial water pollution, largely from dyeing and finishing processes. Electrochemical treatment has proven effective for dye degradation and water decolouration, with the additional benefit of producing hydrogen as a by-product. Although often overlooked, hydrogen is a versatile energy vector with growing importance in industrial decarbonisation strategies worldwide. This project builds on the MesH concept (Mètode d’Electròlisi Simultània per al tractament d'aigües i recuperació d’Hidrogen), which integrates wastewater treatment and hydrogen recovery into a single electrochemical process. To minimise environmental impact and ensure a circular economy approach, the present work evaluates the feasibility of powering the MesH system with photovoltaic solar energy. Three solar configurations (Non- controlled, Controlled, and Controlled with energy storage) are designed, implemented and validated. Their performance is first assessed with a preliminary Batch Cell reactor and later with the more advanced, application-oriented Micro Flow Cell. The results demonstrate that the solar-powered system achieves electrical performance, discolouration efficiency, and hydrogen production comparable to conventional DC operation. These findings confirm that renewable energy can power the MesH technology without compromising treatment effectiveness or hydrogen recovery, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable solution for industrial water management and energy valorisation.
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institution Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
instname_str Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
language eng
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network_name_str España
oai_identifier_str oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/444118
publishDate 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
publisherStr Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
reponame_str UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
spelling Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery De Múller Mallol, Ernest Water - Electrolysis Hydrogen Aigua--Electròlisi Hidrogen Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria tèxtil The textile industry is one of the most water-intensive sectors, responsible for around 20% of global industrial water pollution, largely from dyeing and finishing processes. Electrochemical treatment has proven effective for dye degradation and water decolouration, with the additional benefit of producing hydrogen as a by-product. Although often overlooked, hydrogen is a versatile energy vector with growing importance in industrial decarbonisation strategies worldwide. This project builds on the MesH concept (Mètode d’Electròlisi Simultània per al tractament d'aigües i recuperació d’Hidrogen), which integrates wastewater treatment and hydrogen recovery into a single electrochemical process. To minimise environmental impact and ensure a circular economy approach, the present work evaluates the feasibility of powering the MesH system with photovoltaic solar energy. Three solar configurations (Non- controlled, Controlled, and Controlled with energy storage) are designed, implemented and validated. Their performance is first assessed with a preliminary Batch Cell reactor and later with the more advanced, application-oriented Micro Flow Cell. The results demonstrate that the solar-powered system achieves electrical performance, discolouration efficiency, and hydrogen production comparable to conventional DC operation. These findings confirm that renewable energy can power the MesH technology without compromising treatment effectiveness or hydrogen recovery, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable solution for industrial water management and energy valorisation. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya https://hdl.handle.net/2117/444118
spellingShingle Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
De Múller Mallol, Ernest
Water - Electrolysis
Hydrogen
Aigua--Electròlisi
Hidrogen
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria tèxtil
title Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
title_full Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
title_fullStr Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
title_full_unstemmed Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
title_short Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
title_sort Simultaneous electrolysis method for water treatment and hydrogen recovery
topic Water - Electrolysis
Hydrogen
Aigua--Electròlisi
Hidrogen
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria tèxtil
topic_facet Water - Electrolysis
Hydrogen
Aigua--Electròlisi
Hidrogen
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria tèxtil
url https://hdl.handle.net/2117/444118