Design of a Thermochemical Storage System for Air-Operated Solar Tower Power Plants

Abstract

The present study deals with the mechanical properties of structured reactors/heat exchangers, for high temperature heat storage via the cobalt oxide cyclic redox scheme. Two different structures (i.e. honeycomb and perforated block) and two different compositions (i.e. 100% cobalt oxide and 90 wt% cobalt oxide – 10 wt% aluminium oxide) were evaluated. During thermal cycling in the range of 800-1000oC, different loads were applied to the samples while monitoring their length variation. The integrity of the samples was assessed after every cycle. It was found that mechanical strength was substantially improved upon addition of 10 wt% aluminium oxide. The cobalt oxide/alumina composite presented lower maximal expansion during cycling and exhibited higher integrity, already after one thermal cycle. Another important result is that, for both the honeycomb and the perforated block, the load decreases the over-all sample net expansion. Moreover, the perforated block exhibited lower expansion and better mechanical strength as compared to the honeycomb. Due to the better chemical performance expected to be achieved by the honeycomb structure, a compromise between these two structures has to be chosen (e.g. honeycomb structure with thicker walls). The results are used for building a thermochemical storage system prototype, implemented for the first time in an existing concentrated solar power facility (STJ).