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Experimental demonstration of a 5 kWth granular-flow reactor for solar thermochemical energy storage with aluminum-doped calcium manganite particles

Journal Article · · Applied Thermal Engineering
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2]
  1. Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); Georgia Institute of Technology
  2. Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)
  3. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

A two-step cycle was discussed for solar thermochemical energy storage based on aluminum-doped calcium manganite reduction/oxidation reactions for direct integration into Air Brayton cycles. The two steps encompassed 1) the storage of concentrated solar direct irradiation via the thermal reduction of aluminum-doped calcium manganite and 2) the delivery of heat to an Air-Brayton cycle via re-oxidation of oxygen-deficient aluminum-doped calcium manganite. The re-oxidized aluminum-doped calcium manganite was fed back to the first step to complete the cycle. A 5 kWth solar thermochemical reactor operating under vacuum was fabricated and tested to examine the first cycle reduction step. Reactor operating conditions and high-flux solar simulator control were tuned for continuous reactor operation with particle temperatures > 1073 K. Continuous operation was achieved using intermittent, dense granular flows. A maximum absorption efficiency of 64.7% was shown, accounting for both sensible and chemical heat storage.

Research Organization:
Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0000805; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1607491
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1614779
OSTI ID: 1780413
Journal Information:
Applied Thermal Engineering, Journal Name: Applied Thermal Engineering Journal Issue: C Vol. 173; ISSN 1359-4311
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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