Deployable Membrane-Based Energy Technologies: the Ethiopian Prospect

Abstract

Membrane-based energy technologies are presently gaining huge interest due to the fundamental engineering and potentially broad range of applications, with economic advantages over some of the competing technologies. Herein, we assess the potential deployability of the existing and emerging membrane-based energy technologies (MEnT) in Ethiopia. First, the status of the current energy technologies is provided along with the active energy and environmental policies to shape the necessary research strategies for technology planning and implementation. Ethiopia is a landlocked country, which limits the effective extraction of energy, for instance, from seawater using alternative, clean technologies such as reverse electrodialysis and pressure retarded osmosis. However, there exists an excess off-grid solar power (up to 5 MW) and wind which can be used to drive water electrolyzers for hydrogen production. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that, for instance, can be used in fuel cells providing zero-emission solutions for transport and mobility. Although Ethiopia is not among the largest CO2 emitters, with more than 90% energy supply obtained from waste and biomass, the economic and industrial growth still calls for alternative CO2 capture and use technologies, which are highlighted in this work. We believe that the present work provides i) the status and potential for the implementation of MEnT in Ethiopia ii) and basic guidance for researchers exploring new energy pathways toward sustainable development in developing countries. Ion-exchange membranes; fuel cells; electrolyzers; salinity gradient power; CO2 capture and use

Novel Thin Film Nanocomposite Membranes Based on Chitosan Succinate Modified with Fe-BTC for Enhanced Pervaporation Dehydration of Isopropanol

“…where β-separation factor; J-permeation flux, kg m −2 h −1 ; yA and yB-water and alcohol concentration in the permeate, correspondingly; xA and xB-water and alcohol concentration in the feed solution, correspondingly. Moreover, the thickness normalized pervaporation separation index (PSIN, kg µ m m −2 h −1 ) was counted by Equation (5). PSIN is a factor used to compare the pervaporation performance of various membranes in the same pervaporation process [54].…”

“…Therefore, the development of novel energy-efficient and eco-friendly synthesis and separation methods for various compounds, as well as purification technologies, are becoming urgently needed [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Membrane technologies meet all the requirements of “sustainable processes” and are of great interest as an alternative to traditional separation methods due to their advantages: cost- and energy-effectiveness, ecological safety, waste-free, and the ease of application and automation [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Pervaporation is one of the most promising membrane methods for the separation of the liquid mixtures of low molecular weight substances, especially for the thermally unstable and close-boiling compounds, azeotropic and isomeric mixtures [ 9 ].…”

Decarbonization in ammonia production, new technological methods in industrial scale ammonia production and critical evaluations

“…In addition to all these, various techniques such as solid oxide electrolysis, Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been developed as hydrogen generation technology and the same technologies allow ammonia to be used as a clean energy source [87]. Production of hydrogen is accomplished using membranes such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, Deployable Membranes [88], and absorption-based systems [89]. Although these membrane technologies have different uses such as energy production, their use for hydrogen production is one of the most important processes studied for development.…”

Silicon Particles/Black Paint Coating for Performance Enhancement of Solar Absorbers

“…Various applications of solar energy use have been put forwarded, such as solar photovoltaics [3,4]. Solar distillation is one of the techniques to produce fresh water at a lower cost than the other possible seawater desalination processes [5,6]. The lower cost of manufacturing and installation is due to its simple design, Energies 2021, 14, 7140 2 of 11 use of less expensive and readily available raw material and tooling, and no moving components.…”

“…Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 11 processes [5,6]. The lower cost of manufacturing and installation is due to its simple design, use of less expensive and readily available raw material and tooling, and no moving components.…”