Switchable Sorption Materials for Thermochemical Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermochemical energy storage devices suffer from poor flexibility in heat storage and provision, requiring the same heat quality for charging and discharging, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in storing and releasing thermal energy.
Innovation Solution
A sorption material with at least two desorption enthalpy states, where one state has a higher desorption enthalpy than the other, is used, allowing for a redox reaction to change the oxidation state and adjust the affinity for the sorbate, enabling different heat qualities to be stored and released efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional thermochemical energy storage devices use a single sorption material with fixed desorption enthalpy, then the system structure is simple, but the flexibility in heat storage and provision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing a sorption material that can switch between at least two desorption enthalpy states. The sorption material's desorption enthalpy is changed from a fixed parameter to a switchable parameter, enabling the system to store and provide heat at different temperatures and qualities without changing the physical structure of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the desorption enthalpy of the sorption material dynamically switchable between different states. This dynamic property allows the system to adapt to varying heat storage and provision requirements, improving flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple system structure.
2Loss of energy
If the same heat quality is required for charging and discharging, then the system operation is simple, but energy losses increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy losses by changing the operational parameter of desorption enthalpy. By switching between high and low desorption enthalpy states, the system can match the heat quality to the specific application needs, avoiding the energy degradation that occurs when the same heat quality is used for both charging and discharging.
3Productivity
If low value heat is obtained by dilution of high value heat, then heat provision is achieved, but efficiency is reduced due to concomitant losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves heat provision efficiency by switching the sorption material to a low desorption enthalpy state when low value heat is required. This eliminates the need for dilution of high value heat and the associated efficiency losses, as the system can directly provide heat at the appropriate quality level.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the flexibility of thermochemical energy storage devices, allowing for the efficient storage and release of multiple heat qualities, reducing energy losses and improving the overall efficiency of thermal energy management.
Implementation Method 1
the different desorption enthalpy states of the sorption material correlate to different oxidation states of the material
Implementation Method 2
Thermochemical energy storage is particularly advantageous due to its relatively high energy storage density
Implementation Method 3
During the charging of the device (i.e. the storing of heat) an endothermic reaction or desorption occurs by consuming heat
Implementation Method 4
During the charging of the device (i.e. the storing of heat) an endothermic reaction or desorption occurs by consuming heat
Implementation Method 5
During the discharging of the device (i.e. release of heat), the reverse process, an exothermic reaction or sorption occurs and heat is released
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a method for decreasing the desorption enthalpy of a discharged high enthalpy sorption material that comprises a sorbed sorbate and that is at least partially discharged, wherein said method comprises a step 1) of reacting said discharged high enthalpy sorption material in a redox reaction to provide a discharged low enthalpy sorption material. In another aspect, the invention is directed to using this principle in methods for generating electrical energy from heat and vise versa. In addition, the invention is directed to a thermochemical energy storage device comprising a sorption material having at least two desorption enthalpy states, which preferably correlate to at least two oxidation states of which one oxidation state correlates to a higher desorption enthalpy than one or more of the other oxidation states.