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Title: Operating Characteristics of Metal Hydride-Based Solar Energy Storage Systems

Journal Article · · Sustainability (Basel)

Thermochemical energy storage systems, based on a high-temperature metal hydride coupled with a low-temperature metal hydride, represent a valid option to store thermal energy for concentrating solar power plant applications. The operating characteristics are investigated for a tandem hydride bed energy storage system, using a transient lumped parameter model developed to identify the technical performance of the proposed system. The results show that, without operational control, the system undergoes a thermal ratcheting process, causing the metal hydride concentrations to accumulate hydrogen in the high-temperature bed over time, and deplete hydrogen in the low temperature. This unbalanced system is compared with a ’thermally balanced’ system, where the thermal ratcheting is mitigated by thermally balancing the overall system. The analysis indicates that thermally balanced systems stabilize after the first few cycles and remain so for long-term operation, demonstrating their potential for practical thermal energy storage system applications.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0007118
OSTI ID:
1828993
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1829801
Journal Information:
Sustainability (Basel), Journal Name: Sustainability (Basel) Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 13; ISSN SUSTDE; ISSN 2071-1050
Publisher:
MDPI AGCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Switzerland
Language:
English

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