Thermochemical battery using metal carbonates for energy storage

R&D Focus Areas:
Hydrides, Energy systems integration, Heat storage

Lead Organisation:
Curtin University

Funding:
Future Energy Exports CRC

Status:
Active

Start date:
January 2022

Project summary description:
The project’s main objective is to build a battery prototype using 3 kg of calcite enhanced with corundum as the storage material, with an integrated heat extraction unit. The reversible thermochemical reaction with metal carbonates consists of an endothermic decomposition forming a metal oxide and releasing carbon dioxide gas, which is stored separately. When the gas is reinjected into the system, an exothermic reaction occurs, reforming the initial metal carbonate. It is crucial to combine a heat extraction unit with the battery reactor to run the heat engine ensuring the produced heat conversion into electricity.

Different aspects of the utilisation of metal hydrides as thermal energy storage systems, including the integration into a battery prototype, materials development, and characterisation, will be covered by this project.

Further information:
PhD Thesis (22.RP2.0121), contact Future Energy Exports CRC for further information.

 

Reviewed: August 2023