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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Photosynthetic water splitting. Annual report, January-December 1981

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5249715

The basic physics and chemistry of photosynthetic hydrogen and oxygen production are addressed. The first measurements of the turnover times and photosynthetic unit sizes of steady state simultaneous photoproduction of hydrogen and oxygen have been determined. The results for the turnover times are encouraging because they demonstrate that the values for the hydrogen and oxygen photoreactions are kinetically compatible and are about the same as the turnover times for normal photosynthesis. The major limiting aspect of the hydrogen and oxygen photoreactions is the number of apparent functional photosynthetic units. Studies on the long-term stability and endurance of hydrogen and oxygen photoproduction in anaerobically adapted green algae have also been performed. Preliminary results indicate that these organisms are extremely rugged and may be eventual use in practical applications.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5249715
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-8320; GRI-81/0036; ON: DE82012456
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English