Sulfuric acid-sulfur heat storage cycle

Patent · Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864808

Norman, John H ^[1]

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1. LaJolla, CA

A method of storing heat is provided utilizing a chemical cycle which interconverts sulfuric acid and sulfur. The method can be used to levelize the energy obtained from intermittent heat sources, such as solar collectors. Dilute sulfuric acid is concentrated by evaporation of water, and the concentrated sulfuric acid is boiled and decomposed using intense heat from the heat source, forming sulfur dioxide and oxygen. The sulfur dioxide is reacted with water in a disproportionation reaction yielding dilute sulfuric acid, which is recycled, and elemental sulfur. The sulfur has substantial potential chemical energy and represents the storage of a significant portion of the energy obtained from the heat source. The sulfur is burned whenever required to release the stored energy. A particularly advantageous use of the heat storage method is in conjunction with a solar-powered facility which uses the Bunsen reaction in a water-splitting process. The energy storage method is used to levelize the availability of solar energy while some of the sulfur dioxide produced in the heat storage reactions is converted to sulfuric acid in the Bunsen reaction.

• Research Organization: General Atomics Site, San Diego, CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-80CS80004
• Assignee: GA Technologies Inc. (San Diego, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4421734
• Application Number: 06/377,124
• OSTI ID: 864808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

sulfuric
acid-sulfur
heat
storage
cycle
method
storing
provided
utilizing
chemical
interconverts
acid
sulfur
levelize
energy
obtained
intermittent
sources
solar
collectors
dilute
concentrated
evaporation
water
boiled
decomposed
intense
source
forming
dioxide
oxygen
reacted
disproportionation
reaction
yielding
recycled
elemental
substantial
potential
represents
significant
portion
burned
whenever
required
release
stored
particularly
advantageous
conjunction
solar-powered
facility
bunsen
water-splitting
process
availability
produced
reactions
converted
significant portion
heat sources
solar collectors
chemical energy
heat storage
solar collector
elemental sulfur
energy storage
solar energy
heat source
sulfuric acid
sulfur dioxide
stored energy
concentrated sulfuric
particularly advantageous
storing heat
chemical cycle
dilute sulfuric
dioxide produced
oxide produced
/423/60/126/165/432/