Thermochemical Heat Storage: heat and mass transfer modelling in the reactor

The global increase in demand for raw materials and energy is a source of geopolitical concerns and tensions, and this is leading governments and industries to secure their resources and supplies. This observation leads companies and also countries to secure operational supply by improving system performances and reducing needs. In this context, heat storage is solution for energy management improvement since it makes it possible to use waste heat or solar sources for different thermal applications. Thermochemical heat storage (THS) using water adsorption/desorption in porous materials is particularly suitable. Indeed, it allows heat to be stored at room temperature by separating water from the adsorbent material. To restore heat, the material needs to be re-moisten and this can be done with air humidity (energy-carrier). These materials are shaped and thermally characterized. Especially, an improvement in storage capacity and the heat and mass transfers in the reactor are required and while guaranteeing structural stability for better cyclability. They are tested under different operational conditions in a laboratory reactor. The reactor performances were simulated by using numerical modelling of heat and mass transfer in the experimental device. After experimental validation, the numerical model can be used to simulate different operational scenarios.