Thermochemical solar energy storage via redox oxides: development of a continuous rotary kiln reactor for redox reactions with cobalt oxide

Abstract

The present work deals with the development of a continuous moving particle reactor for thermochemical storage systems based on metal oxide redox cycles. The power demand for this rotary kiln type reactor is provided by concentrated solar power, which directly heats up the wall and the reactive material. A numerical model is developed in order to define the optimal reactor dimension and to have some first guidelines for the reactor’s thermal behaviour. The reactor is designed and built and tested in an experimental campaign, executed in the DLR solar facilities.