On osmotic heat powered cycles driven by thermal saturation-precipitation of aqueous solutions

Francisco J. Arias

Energy, 2019, vol. 186, issue C

Abstract: The basis of a novel concept for osmotic heat powered cycles driven by the thermal dependence of the solubility of aqueous solutions inducing the continuous thermal precipitation/dissolution of solute is outlined. In this osmotic concept, given an aqueous solution with a temperature near to its temperature of saturation, if an external thermal input is applied (either by heating or cooling the solution depending of the specific thermal dependence of the solubility) then, partial precipitation of the solute takes place. By separating the solute precipitate from the remaining depleted solution -generally referred as supernatant, and restoring its initial temperature, the net result is the conversion and storing of thermal energy into osmotic energy contained in two streams with different salinities which can be released only when both streams are deliberately mixed by using a semi-permeable membrane. Utilizing a simplified physical model, a first estimation for the maximum extractable energy per unit of volume of solution was calculated. The specific cases for some common salts were compared. Additional R&D is required in order to arrive at a reliable practical and commercial design.

Keywords: Thermal solubility of aqueous solutions; Osmotic heat engines; Pressure-retarded osmosis; (PRO); Salinity power; Renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:186:y:2019:i:c:s0360544219315026

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.07.160

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