A Review of Thermochemical Energy Storage Systems for District Heating in the UK

Sarah Roger-Lund (), Jo Darkwa, Mark Worall, John Calautit and Rabah Boukhanouf
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Sarah Roger-Lund: Building, Energy and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Jo Darkwa: Building, Energy and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Mark Worall: Building, Energy and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
John Calautit: Building, Energy and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Rabah Boukhanouf: Building, Energy and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-28

Abstract: Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) presents a promising method for energy storage due to its high storage density and capacity for long-term storage. A combination of TCES and district heating networks exhibits an appealing alternative to natural gas boilers, particularly through the utilisation of industrial waste heat to achieve the UK government’s target of Net Zero by 2050. The most pivotal aspects of TCES design are the selected materials, reactor configuration, and heat transfer efficiency. Among the array of potential reactors, the fluidised bed emerges as a novel solution due to its ability to bypass traditional design limitations; the fluidised nature of these reactors provides high heat transfer coefficients, improved mixing and uniformity, and greater fluid-particle contact. This research endeavours to assess the enhancement of thermochemical fluidised bed systems through material characterisation and development techniques, alongside the optimisation of heat transfer. The analysis underscores the appeal of calcium and magnesium hydroxides for TCES, particularly when providing a buffer between medium-grade waste heat supply and district heat demand. Enhancement techniques such as doping and nanomaterial/composite coating are also explored, which are found to improve agglomeration, flowability, and operating conditions of the hydroxide systems. Furthermore, the optimisation of heat transfer prompted an evaluation of heat exchanger configurations and heat transfer fluids. Helical coil heat exchangers are predominantly favoured over alternative configurations, while various heat transfer fluids are considered advantageous depending on TCES material selection. In particular, water and synthetic liquids are compared according to their thermal efficiencies and performances at elevated operating temperatures.

Keywords: district heating; thermal energy storage; thermochemical energy storage; fluidised bed; heat transfer; helical coil heat exchanger; calcium hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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