Session: 03-01 Thermochemical Energy Storage

Paper Number: 112813

112813 - Thermochemical Energy Storage - Zigzag Flow Reactor 

Although several material studies have demonstrated the promise of thermochemical energy storage (TCES) as a solution for multi-day energy storage, a practical and scalable thermochemical reduction reactor design requires more development. This study describes the novel Zigzag flow reactor (ZFR) for TCES, which thermally reduces redox-active metal oxide particles under countercurrent inert sweep gas flow. Our models and experiments demonstrate high particle residence time and particle-gas mixing in the ZFR—both necessary to approach chemical equilibrium and maximize performance. The models also highlight the low material cost of scaling the ZFR for multi-day grid scale-energy storage. A laboratory prototype of the ZFR achieved over 5 times the reduction extent of previous thermochemical reduction reactors under steady-state operation. This increased reduction extent results in a high energy storage density (~100 Wh/kg) on par with the Ni-Cd batteries.

Presenting Author: Rhushikesh Ghotkar Arizona State University

Presenting Author Biography: Final year Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical engineering working on developing a thermochemical energy storage reactor.