Performance analysis of a K2CO3-based thermochemical energy storage system using a honeycomb structured heat exchanger

Karunesh Kant (1) , A. Shukla (2) , David M J Smeulders , C.C.M. C M Rindt (3)

1 IP - Institut Pascal
2 Non-Conventional Energy Laboratory
3 TU/e - Eindhoven University of Technology [Eindhoven]

The application of thermal energy storage using thermochemical heat storage materials is a promising approach to enhance solar energy utilization in the built environment. Potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3) is one of the potential candidate materials to efficiently store thermal energy due to its high heat storage capacity and costeffectiveness. In the present study, a 3-dimensional numerical model is developed for the exothermic hydration reaction of K 2 CO 3. The heat produced from the reaction is transferred indirectly from the thermochemical material (TCM) bed through the walls of the honeycomb heat exchanger to a Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). A parametric study is conducted for varying geometrical parameters of the honeycomb heat exchanger. The obtained results indicate that the reaction rate and heat transport in the TCM bed strongly depends on the geometrical parameters of the heat exchanger. Reducing the cell size of the honeycomb heat exchanger up to a certain level provides better thermal transport as well as improved reaction rate of the TCM bed. The results of this study provide detailed insight into the heat release processes occurring in a fixed bed of K 2 CO 3. The study is useful for designing and optimizing thermo-chemical energy storage modules for the built environment.

Domaines: Génie mécanique [physics.class-ph]

Karunesh Kant, A. Shukla, David M J Smeulders, C.C.M. C M Rindt. Performance analysis of a K2CO3-based thermochemical energy storage system using a honeycomb structured heat exchanger. Journal of Energy Storage, 2021, 38, pp.102563. ⟨10.1016/j.est.2021.102563⟩. ⟨hal-03196992⟩