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Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "D: Energy Storage and Application".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 July 2021) | Viewed by 16201

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
TU Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Getreidemarkt 9/166, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Interests: energy technology (combustion, reforming, gasification, pyrolysis, CO2 capture, energy storage); refinery technology (fluid catalytic cracking); environmental technology (urban mining, recycling, ash, phosphorous, NOx, SO2, HCl, other emissions); chemical processing and catalysts
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am very happy to invite you to contribute to the highly interesting area of thermochemical energy storage (TCES) in this upcoming Special Issue. Thermochemical energy storage is a brand new area of research with a wide range of potential applications.

The energy of chemical reactions stored in chemical materials can be used to generate heat and even power when necessary. In contrast to other energy storages like sensible or latent energy storages, high energy densities are possible as well as long storage times and transport, if necessary. Further, the operating conditions can vary in a wide range of temperatures and pressures depending on the TCES system in use.

Research in combustion of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels already has a long history of optimization; by contrast, thermochemical energy storage is a very young field of research where many areas are still unknown. Thus, there is much to gain; however, strong efforts are necessary to develop practical TCES systems and bridging fundamental research with application. The cost of the chemical material and its energy density, its kinetics, and cycle stability for loading heat and heat release, the storage–reactor systems, and their design are all important characteristics.

A major application is the utilization and storage of waste heat of various energy and industrial processes at different temperature levels. In addition, there is also a high potential in the combination of thermochemical energy storage systems with renewable energy systems like solar and wind, which fluctuate a lot by their nature.

Please join us on this highly interesting journey and contribute with your work and knowledge.

Prof. Dr. Franz Winter
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Thermo-chemical energy storage, TCES
  • Chemical reaction systems
  • Energy densities
  • Thermodynamics of TCES
  • Cycle stability
  • Reactor design for TCES
  • Combinations with waste heat, solar, wind
  • Low temperature TCES systems
  • High temperature TCES systems
  • Economical aspects

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5380 KiB  
Article
The Potential Use of Fly Ash from the Pulp and Paper Industry as Thermochemical Energy and CO2 Storage Material
by Saman Setoodeh Jahromy, Mudassar Azam, Christian Jordan, Michael Harasek and Franz Winter
Energies 2021, 14(11), 3348; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113348 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2737
Abstract
As a part of our research in the field of thermochemical energy storage, this study aims to investigate the potential of three fly ash samples derived from the fluidized bed reactors of three different pulp and paper plants in Austria for their use [...] Read more.
As a part of our research in the field of thermochemical energy storage, this study aims to investigate the potential of three fly ash samples derived from the fluidized bed reactors of three different pulp and paper plants in Austria for their use as thermochemical energy (TCES) and CO2 storage materials. The selected samples were analyzed by different physical and chemical analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size distribution (PSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) under different atmospheres (N2, CO2, and H2O/CO2). To evaluate the environmental impact, leaching tests were also performed. The amount of CaO as a promising candidate for TCES was verified by XRF analysis, which was in the range of 25–63% (w/w). XRD results indicate that the CaO lies as free lime (3–32%), calcite (21–29%), and silicate in all fly ash samples. The results of STA show that all fly ash samples could fulfill the requirements for TCES (i.e., charging and discharging). A cycling stability test of three cycles was demonstrated for all samples which indicates a reduction of conversion in the first three reaction cycles. The energy content of the examined samples was up to 504 kJ/kg according to the STA results. More energy (~1090 kJ/kg) in the first discharging step in the CO2/H2O atmosphere could be released through two kinds of fly ash samples due to the already existing free lime (CaO) in those samples. The CO2 storage capacity of these fly ash samples ranged between 18 and 110 kg per ton of fly ash, based on the direct and dry method. The leaching tests showed that all heavy metals were below the limit values of the Austrian landfill ordinance. It is viable to say that the valorization of fly ash from the pulp and paper industries via TCES and CO2 storage is plausible. However, further investigations such as cycling stability improvement, system integration and a life cycle assessment (LCA) still need to be conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage)
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26 pages, 8515 KiB  
Article
A Discussion of Possible Approaches to the Integration of Thermochemical Storage Systems in Concentrating Solar Power Plants
by Michela Lanchi, Luca Turchetti, Salvatore Sau, Raffaele Liberatore, Stefano Cerbelli, Maria Anna Murmura and Maria Cristina Annesini
Energies 2020, 13(18), 4940; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184940 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2198
Abstract
One of the most interesting perspectives for the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) is the storage of solar energy on a seasonal basis, intending to exploit the summer solar radiation in excess and use it in the winter months, thus stabilizing the [...] Read more.
One of the most interesting perspectives for the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) is the storage of solar energy on a seasonal basis, intending to exploit the summer solar radiation in excess and use it in the winter months, thus stabilizing the yearly production and increasing the capacity factor of the plant. By using materials subject to reversible chemical reactions, and thus storing the thermal energy in the form of chemical energy, thermochemical storage systems can potentially serve to this purpose. The present work focuses on the identification of possible integration solutions between CSP plants and thermochemical systems for long-term energy storage, particularly for high-temperature systems such as central receiver plants. The analysis is restricted to storage systems potentially compatible with temperatures ranging from 700 to 1000 °C and using gases as heat transfer fluids. On the basis of the solar plant specifications, suitable reactive systems are identified and the process interfaces for the integration of solar plant/storage system/power block are discussed. The main operating conditions of the storage unit are defined for each considered case through process simulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage)
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15 pages, 2523 KiB  
Article
The Design and Test for Degradation of Energy Density of a Silica Gel-Based Energy Storage System Using Low Grade Heat for Desorption Phase
by Emmanuel Nyarko Ayisi and Karel Fraňa
Energies 2020, 13(17), 4513; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13174513 - 01 Sep 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2047
Abstract
This paper presents the design and a short cycle repeatability test of a silica gel-based thermal energy storage system using low grade heat for the desorption phase. The system was designed to test the degradation in the energy storage density of the adsorbent [...] Read more.
This paper presents the design and a short cycle repeatability test of a silica gel-based thermal energy storage system using low grade heat for the desorption phase. The system was designed to test the degradation in the energy storage density of the adsorbent material for a 2 h working period in a short number of cycles (5 cycles). Low grade heat of 70 °C is used for regeneration during the desorption phase in each cycle. It was found that a reduction of 1.6 W/kg per each cycle of energy storage was observed, up to 5 cycles. The maximal heat storage density was 292 kJ/kg at the first cycle and reduced to 225 kJ/kg at the fifth cycle. Furthermore, the total amount of water vapor adsorbed in the silica gel was observed as well. The test of energy storage was performed under a short time period (maximal approx. 165 min). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage)
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16 pages, 534 KiB  
Article
Profitability Analysis and Capital Cost Estimation of a Thermochemical Energy Storage System Utilizing Fluidized Bed Reactors and the Reaction System MgO/Mg(OH)2
by Stylianos Flegkas, Felix Birkelbach, Franz Winter, Hans Groenewold and Andreas Werner
Energies 2019, 12(24), 4788; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12244788 - 16 Dec 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3576
Abstract
The storage of industrial waste heat through thermochemical energy storage (TCES) shows high potential to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. In this paper the capital cost investment of a TCES system utilizing fluidized bed reactors and the reaction system MgO/Mg(OH) 2 is [...] Read more.
The storage of industrial waste heat through thermochemical energy storage (TCES) shows high potential to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. In this paper the capital cost investment of a TCES system utilizing fluidized bed reactors and the reaction system MgO/Mg(OH) 2 is estimated and a profitability analysis is performed. The study estimate is based on a simulation study that considers the mass and energy balance of the proposed preliminary heat storage and release processes utilizing fluidized bed reactors. Furthermore, transport, operation and maintenance as well as utility costs were estimated in order to evaluate the profitability of the system. It is concluded that for the selected boundary conditions, the specific investment costs per kW stored heat are approximately 900 €/kW and that the systems should not be installed at sites where less than around 5 MW of waste heat are available. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted, to identify the key process and economic parameters critical for a positive net present value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage)
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Review

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23 pages, 3062 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Thermochemical Energy Storage via Solid–Gas Reversible Reactions at High Temperature
by Laurie André and Stéphane Abanades
Energies 2020, 13(22), 5859; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13225859 - 10 Nov 2020
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 4632
Abstract
The exploitation of solar energy, an unlimited and renewable energy resource, is of prime interest to support the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy alternatives. Solar energy can be used via concentrated solar power (CSP) combined with thermochemical energy storage (TCES) for [...] Read more.
The exploitation of solar energy, an unlimited and renewable energy resource, is of prime interest to support the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy alternatives. Solar energy can be used via concentrated solar power (CSP) combined with thermochemical energy storage (TCES) for the conversion and storage of concentrated solar energy via reversible solid–gas reactions, thus enabling round the clock operation and continuous production. Research is on-going on efficient and economically attractive TCES systems at high temperatures with long-term durability and performance stability. Indeed, the cycling stability with reduced or no loss in capacity over many cycles of heat charge and discharge of the material is pursued. The main thermochemical systems currently investigated are encompassing metal oxide redox pairs (MOx/MOx−1), non-stoichiometric perovskites (ABO3/ABO3−δ), alkaline earth metal carbonates and hydroxides (MCO3/MO, M(OH)2/MO with M = Ca, Sr, Ba). The metal oxides/perovskites can operate in open loop with air as the heat transfer fluid, while carbonates and hydroxides generally require closed loop operation with storage of the fluid (H2O or CO2). Alternative sources of natural components are also attracting interest, such as abundant and low-cost ore minerals or recycling waste. For example, limestone and dolomite are being studied to provide for one of the most promising systems, CaCO3/CaO. Systems based on hydroxides are also progressing, although most of the recent works focused on Ca(OH)2/CaO. Mixed metal oxides and perovskites are also largely developed and attractive materials, thanks to the possible tuning of both their operating temperature and energy storage capacity. The shape of the material and its stabilization are critical to adapt the material for their integration in reactors, such as packed bed and fluidized bed reactors, and assure a smooth transition for commercial use and development. The recent advances in TCES systems since 2016 are reviewed, and their integration in solar processes for continuous operation is particularly emphasized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Thermochemical Energy Storage)
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