Chemical Heat Storage Using an SiC Honeycomb Packed with CaCl₂Powder

Chemical heat storage is a promising technology for improving thermal energy efficiency. In this study, CaCl2 and H2O were selected as a reaction system for utilization of low-grade exhaust heat that is cooler than 200°C. Heat discharging and charging were conducted through the CaCl2 hydration reaction. A silicon carbide honeycomb was adopted to improve heat transfer in the CaCl2 packed bed. The heat storage, condenser, and evaporator temperature were set at 150°C, 30°C and 90°C respectively. Repeated trials and experiments are time consuming for optimizing design of the equipment. Therefore, in this research, we constructed a simulation that can predict the performance of the device. A numerical simulation model was utilized in preparation for the design of the heat storage module. The consistency of both the simulation and the experimental results was confirmed by comparing them.

Experimental Evaluation of the Heat Output/Input and Coefficient of Performance Characteristics of a Chemical Heat Pump in the Periodic Operation of CaCl₂Hydration

We herein evaluate the use of a chemical heat pump (CHP) for upgrading waste heat. CaCl2 was used in the system of CHP. We evaluated the heat storage and heat releasing of CHP, and confirmed the practicality from the experimental results. The reactor module employed was an aluminum plate-tube heat exchanger with corrugated fins, and the CaCl2 powder was in the form of a packed bed. Heat storage operation and heat dissipation operation are performed at the same time and supplied to the heat demand destination. At this time, an environmental heat source can be used during the heat radiation operation, and the heat output can release more heat than the heat input during heat storage. The heat discharging and charging characteristics of the reactor module were evaluated experimentally. The coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated for the heat upgrading cycle, and the heat output in the system was determined. A COP of 1.42 and output of 650 W/L, based on the heat exchanger volume, were obtained using a 600 s change time for the heat pump.

Thermochemical Heat Storage Performance in the Gas/Liquid-Solid Reactions of SrCl2 with NH3

Thermochemical heat storage is a promising technology for improving energy efficiency through the utilization of low-grade waste heat. The formation of a SrCl2 ammine complex was selected as the reaction system for the purpose of this study. Discharge characteristics were evaluated in a packed bed reactor for both the gas-solid reaction and the liquid-solid reaction. The average power of the gas-solid reaction was influenced by the pressure of the supplied ammonia gas, with greater powers being recorded at higher ammonia pressure. For the liquid-solid reaction, the obtained average power was comparable to that obtained for the gas-solid reaction at 0.2 MPa. Moreover, the lower heat transfer resistance in the reactor was observed, which was likely caused by the presence of liquid ammonia in the system. Finally, the short-term durability of the liquid-solid reaction system was demonstrated over 10 stable charge/discharge cycles.

Long-Term Durability and Reactivation of Thermochemical Heat Storage Driven by the CaO/Ca(OH)₂Reversible Reaction

Thermochemical heat storage is a promising technology for improving thermal energy efficiency. To investigate the durability of the CaO/Ca(OH)2 reaction and develop a reactivation method, repetitive charging/discharging operation of a packed bed reactor with a thick packed bed was conducted, and variations in the discharging behavior, final conversion, and reactant activity were investigated. Owing to the formation of a deactivated sintered reactant block, the discharging time halved and the final conversion ratio decreased by the 53rd discharging operation. To enhance durability, a reactivation method using high-pressure vapor was implemented during the 54th discharging operation. Following reactivation, the final conversion increased 15%, and the discharging time tripled when compared with the discharging operation before reactivation, confirming the success of this simple reactivation method.