ISSN Online: 2377-424X
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-474-8
ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-473-1
International Heat Transfer Conference 16
MULTISCALE THERMAL TRANSPORT IN SOLAR THERMOCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
Abstract
Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) of concentrated solar power (CSP) has the potential of developing into a transformative technology for solar utilization as it (i) converts solar energy into chemical energy at greater storage densities than sensible and latent heat approaches, and (ii) enables dispatchable energy storage, i.e., providing energy upon demand and storing energy where there is no demand. Thermal transport plays an essential role in reversible chemical reaction selection, materials and structure design, and reactor design and engineering, each of which has seen a rapid development in the last decade. In this paper, we report high energy storage densities (> 1100 MJ m-3) with high quality heat (heat release temperature > 1150 °C) based on TGA measurement for two TCES systems: carbonates (SrCO3, BaCO3) and redox materials (MnO supported with MgO). Pore scale thermal and mass transport in a micro reactor is also simulated to understand the coupled thermal and mass transport in high temperature TCES systems. The results demonstrate that Sr/Ba carbonates and MnO-MgO mixtures are extremely attractive candidates for high temperature TCES, and detailed modeling work is required for optimization of both material structures and reactor operating parameters.