Investigating reaction systems for high-temperature thermochemical energy storage and discharge integrated with concentrated solar power
File(s)
Author(s)
Ghosh, Shiladitya
Type
Thesis
Abstract
In this thesis, two distinct reversible chemical reactions were studied for thermochemical energy storage (TCES) applications with a focus on integration with concentrated solar power (CSP): the reversible hydration of calcium oxide with steam and the redox behavior of certain copper manganese mixed metal oxides. A holistic investigation approach was employed encompassing the study of reaction kinetics, reactor design, process configuration, and the performing of a techno-economic assessment.
Kinetic data for the reactions was experimentally obtained under fluidized conditions through this work as well as from recent literature to account for the potential impacts of reaction cycling stresses on the material integrity and reactive performance of the chosen material specifications.
For exploring the potential of advanced large scale technologies that allow for continuous operation, fluidized bed reactor designs were then also used for evaluating the considered systems to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of long term and high volume energy storage processes using these reactions that allow for intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar to have stable energy production outputs over extended periods of time.
Detailed flowsheet designs were then constructed and evaluated at steady-state based on hypothetical solar tower CSP plants at 120 MWth scale incorporating either of the two TCES reaction systems and appropriate power generation cycles; a steam Rankine cycle and a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle were designed for the calcium oxide and copper manganese oxide energy discharging systems respectively.
These flowsheets were then parametrically simulated with time variation under several operating scenarios based on historical solar irradiation data for Seville as a case study location and the performance of standalone cyclic storage and discharge cycles and standalone continuous discharging modes were evaluated in terms of technical performance criteria.
Lastly a wide-ranging techno-economic assessment was performed for the two CSP-TCES plant designs by assessing their costs of energy storage and electricity generation and the variations in these figures as a result of varying operating schedules, weather, and geographical location. The overall cost estimates were then benchmarked against those of alternative clean energy storage and power generation technologies to assess the forecasted economic viability of advanced TCES plant designs while the materials and the technology both continue to steadily develop.
Kinetic data for the reactions was experimentally obtained under fluidized conditions through this work as well as from recent literature to account for the potential impacts of reaction cycling stresses on the material integrity and reactive performance of the chosen material specifications.
For exploring the potential of advanced large scale technologies that allow for continuous operation, fluidized bed reactor designs were then also used for evaluating the considered systems to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of long term and high volume energy storage processes using these reactions that allow for intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar to have stable energy production outputs over extended periods of time.
Detailed flowsheet designs were then constructed and evaluated at steady-state based on hypothetical solar tower CSP plants at 120 MWth scale incorporating either of the two TCES reaction systems and appropriate power generation cycles; a steam Rankine cycle and a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle were designed for the calcium oxide and copper manganese oxide energy discharging systems respectively.
These flowsheets were then parametrically simulated with time variation under several operating scenarios based on historical solar irradiation data for Seville as a case study location and the performance of standalone cyclic storage and discharge cycles and standalone continuous discharging modes were evaluated in terms of technical performance criteria.
Lastly a wide-ranging techno-economic assessment was performed for the two CSP-TCES plant designs by assessing their costs of energy storage and electricity generation and the variations in these figures as a result of varying operating schedules, weather, and geographical location. The overall cost estimates were then benchmarked against those of alternative clean energy storage and power generation technologies to assess the forecasted economic viability of advanced TCES plant designs while the materials and the technology both continue to steadily develop.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2020-10
Date Awarded
2021-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
Advisor
Fennell, Paul
Publisher Department
Chemical Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)