AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE

We specialise in the design, engineering, and optimisation of advanced photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production, water treatment, and air purification. Our expertise ensures that every project we deliver is efficient, scalable, and commercially viable, meeting the highest industry standards.

Photocatalysis for Hydrogen Production

We design and optimise photocatalytic hydrogen production systems that harness light energy to drive water-splitting reactions, offering a sustainable alternative to electrolysis. Using advanced reactor engineering, we enhance light absorption, mass transfer, and catalytic efficiency to maximise hydrogen yield. Our computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and process simulation capabilities allow us to refine reactor geometries and optimise system performance, ensuring cost-effective, large-scale hydrogen production for industrial applications.

Photocatalysis for Water Treatment

Our photocatalytic water treatment systems provide an innovative, chemical-free solution for the removal of organic contaminants, pathogens, and micropollutants from industrial and municipal wastewater. We design reactors that utilise highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (•OH) to break down toxins, pharmaceuticals, and bacteria without the need for chlorine or additional chemicals. Through reactor optimisation, light distribution modeling, and membrane integration, we enhance contaminant degradation efficiency while reducing operational costs. Whether for wastewater treatment, water reuse, or industrial effluent management, we deliver high-performance and sustainable purification solutions.

Photocatalysis for Air Purification

We engineer photocatalytic air purification systems designed to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and airborne pathogens in industrial and commercial environments. Our solutions integrate photocatalytic coatings, HVAC-based oxidation units, and self-cleaning surfaces that actively degrade pollutants, improving indoor air quality and reducing emissions. Using CFD modeling and reaction kinetics simulation, we optimise purification system performance to ensure maximum pollutant breakdown with minimal energy consumption. From industrial exhaust treatment to urban air quality improvement, our expertise in photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) technology enables cleaner, healthier environments.

We combine our engineering expertise, process simulation capabilities, and industry best practices to deliver cutting-edge photocatalytic solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients. Whether you are looking to scale up hydrogen production, implement sustainable water treatment, or enhance air purification efficiency, our team is ready to provide innovative, high-performance solutions that meet your operational and environmental goals.

Enhancing the efficiency of photocatalysis technology involves optimising the setup of the photoreactor system. Variables that can be studied include:

Optimising Reactor Design: Enhancing reactor design significantly improves the reaction rate and overall efficiency. In 1997, Dr Jimmy Lea conducted a Master of Engineering research project on the photocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, which laid the groundwork for understanding the variables that affected photoreactor efficiency. In his research, he used commercial titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and light with photon wavelengths in the range of 254-310 nm. His experimental work, which focused on reactor engineering, identified four critical factors affecting the reaction rate and reactor efficiency, among other variables. The four variables were:

Reactor Geometry: He discovered that the design and geometry of the reactor had a significant effect on the reaction rate. Designs that maximised light penetration increased the reaction rate. In addition, reactors with effective mixing and mass transfer prevented the formation of dead zones and kept the TiO₂ continually suspended, ensuring that TiO₂ particles were evenly distributed. This maximised contact time between the photocatalyst surface, light and water, thereby further increasing the reaction rate.

Catalyst Loading: TiO₂ served to generate electron-hole pairs that drove the reaction. Increasing photocatalyst loading elevated the number of electron-hole pairs, thereby boosting the reaction rate. However, he discovered an optimal catalyst loading beyond which the reaction rate declined rapidly. This decrease was attributed to particle light-shielding, which resulted in poor light-harvesting efficiency.

Light Intensity: The reaction rate was directly proportional to the applied UV intensity. Increasing UV intensity meant more photons struck the TiO₂ surface within a given timeframe, generating electron-hole pairs more rapidly. Using lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto the photocatalyst enhanced effective solar irradiance.

Water Temperature: The reaction rate was directly proportional to water temperature. Higher temperatures provided reacting particles with more energy, increasing their movement and accelerating the reaction rate. He attributed this phenomenon to the enhanced kinetic energy of particles at elevated temperatures.

Increase Photocatalyst Efficiency: Develop or adopt more efficient photocatalysts than original TiO₂. Materials with higher solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies can generate more hydrogen from the same amount of sunlight. Doping TiO₂ with elements such as nitrogen, carbon or transition metals can enhance its photocatalytic activity by improving light absorption and charge carrier separation. In addition, increasing the surface area of the photocatalyst exposed to sunlight, potentially through nanostructuring or using porous materials, can provide more active sites for the reaction.

Enhance Light Absorption: Employ advanced photonic designs that enhance light absorption and reduce energy losses, such as photonic crystals or plasmonic structures. Integrate light-trapping features that increase the time light spends within the catalytic material, thus improving absorption and reaction rates.

Balance of Plant: Optimise the balance of plant performance by designing an efficient system from the outset through effective process engineering, assisted by process dynamics simulation. On the other hand, the reactor geometry can be optimised using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This approach improves overall solar-to-hydrogen (STH) plant efficiency.

Photocatalysis Technology

Photocatalysis technology for hydrogen production involves using light energy to drive a chemical reaction that splits water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). The key components and steps involved in this process are:

Photocatalyst Material: A semiconductor material, such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂), is used as the photocatalyst. This material has the ability to absorb light energy and generate electron-hole pairs.

Light Absorption: When the photocatalyst is exposed to light, typically ultraviolet (UV) light with wavelength between 282-400nm, it absorbs photons. This absorption excites electrons from the valence band to the conduction band, leaving behind positively charged holes in the valence band.

Charge Separation: The excited electrons and holes must be effectively separated to prevent their recombination. The photocatalyst material's structure and surface properties are crucial for efficient charge separation.

Redox Reactions: The separated electrons and holes participate in redox reactions. The electrons reduce water molecules at the surface of the photocatalyst to produce hydrogen gas whilst the holes oxidise water molecules to produce oxygen gas.

Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution: The hydrogen and oxygen gases produced in the redox reactions are collected separately. This can be facilitated by designing the photocatalytic system with appropriate compartments or membranes to prevent mixing.

Page Up

Photocatalytic Engineering Design

We specialise in photocatalytic engineering design, providing end-to-end plant design, engineering, and consulting services for hydrogen production, water treatment, and air purification. Our expertise spans the chemical, energy, resources, and water industries, with a focus on designing and optimising photocatalytic systems for industrial applications. Using advanced simulation techniques, we enhance efficiency, scalability, and sustainability across multiple sectors.

Our comprehensive approach to photocatalytic engineering design covers every stage of project development, ensuring efficiency, safety, and commercial viability. We begin with feasibility studies, assessing the technical viability, economic potential, and conceptual design of photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production, water treatment, and air purification. This is followed by front end engineering design (FEED), where we develop optimised process and plant layouts to maximise performance and cost-effectiveness. Once the foundational design is established, we proceed with detailed engineering design, delivering integrated, build-ready solutions tailored to client specifications.

To further enhance system efficiency, we leverage advanced simulation and optimisation, including CFD modelling for reactor performance, mass transfer, and light absorption efficiency. Through this structured approach, we ensure that our clients receive high-performance, scalable, and economically viable photocatalytic engineering solutions. With in-house plant design expertise, an experienced team of process engineers, and cutting-edge engineering simulation capabilities, we develop photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production, industrial water treatment, and air purification that meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

By leveraging industry best practices and next-generation technologies, we ensure that photocatalytic engineering is both environmentally sustainable and commercially viable. Whether scaling up from R&D to industrial deployment or optimising existing processes, we deliver high-performance, cost-efficient solutions across the chemical, energy, resources, and water industries.

We serve clients in Singapore, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth, offering both broad geographical coverage and local expertise.