Dissertations and Theses

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Engineering

First Advisor

Masahiro Kawaji,

Second Advisor

Feridun Delale,

Keywords

thermal, chemical, storage

Abstract

A high temperature Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system has been investigated for use in solar thermal power plants or in vehicles to preheat the engine and/or the cabin in cold weather. The idea is to store surplus thermal energy and then release it on demand to heat a working fluid. The stored heat can be used to generate electricity after sunset or to meet the peak loads. These would lead to an improvement in energy efficiency, reductions in energy imports from foreign sources and total energy-related emissions. The basic operating principle involved in the TES system is a thermochemical reaction involving metal oxides such the calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO) and water. In the output mode, an exothermic reaction is initiated when liquid water or steam is injected into the metal oxide particle bed to produce Ca(OH)2 or Mg(OH)2. The heat generated in this process can then be used to heat up a secondary flow of water or other heat transfer fluid that passes through the TES system. In the charging phase, the bed will be heated to dehydrate Ca(OH)2 or Mg(OH)2 in an endothermic reaction inside the TES vessel. This research investigates the integration of thermal storage and heat transfer technologies into a working system. Efficient heat exchange is vital as porous solid particles of metal oxides have low values of thermal conductivity.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.