(415b) Waste Heat Recovery Using Thermochemical Energy Storage

Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) allows for inherently higher energy density compared to sensible or latent heat storage. As energy is stored in chemical bonds, energy is preserved indefinitely, even after materials cool down. Our research at Oregon State University has focused on developing a heat recovery strategy for industrial waste heat from a saturated liquid stream in a power plant which is currently fed to a flash tank. This waste heat can instead be redirected to charge a TCES system. Upon discharge, this heat can be released for useful purposes such as space heating. Here we present cycling results from reactor-scale experiments using a magnesium nitrate based TCES material. The material is charged using hot air and discharged using humified air. Temperature lift of the incoming humid air stream is compared to controls without reactive materials. Also presented will be material improvements using high porous foams.