Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2024, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (12): 4436-4451.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0909

• Special Issue on Thermochemical Energy Storage • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Current status and advances in the low-to-medium temperature sorption-based thermochemical heat storage

Hongkun MA(), Mingxi JI, Yulong DING()   

  1. Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • Received:2024-09-27 Revised:2024-11-22 Online:2024-12-28 Published:2024-12-23
  • Contact: Hongkun MA, Yulong DING E-mail:y.ding@bham.ac.uk;h.ma.5@bham.ac.uk

Abstract:

Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) is particularly suitable for long-term thermal energy storage due to the advantages of high energy storage density and low heat loss. This paper reviews thermochemical energy storage materials based on sorption, focusing on materials in the low to medium temperature range, including physical adsorption materials (e.g. silica gel and zeolite) and chemical sorption materials (e.g. salt hydrate). Firstly, the properties of physical adsorption materials are summarised and their use in applications is analysed. For salt hydrate-based chemical sorption materials, their reaction conditions, energy storage densities and hydration properties are described. Then, the preparation of composite material by loading salt hydrates onto porous supports is introduced and highlighted, aiming to overcome the challenges of agglomeration and deliquescence in practical applications. Meanwhile, the design of thermochemical reactors has been reviewed. The characteristics and performance of fixed bed and moving bed reactors were also compared, and further suggestions for improving heat and mass transfer were discussed. An analysis of open and closed systems was also summarised in terms of advantages and disadvantages. Further discussions on the performance of each type of system including energy efficiency, performance and system design ideas to meet different application requirements are proposed. A techno-economic analysis of thermochemical heat storage is also carried out to assess the commercialisation potential of various systems. Finally, future research directions to improve the performance and reduce the cost of adsorption-based thermochemical systems are outlined.

Key words: thermochemical heat storage, sorption material, salt hydrate, reactor, system

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