(264c) Thermal Energy Transport Using the Sorption-Assisted Boudouard Reaction

High-quality process heat from clean sources is necessary for decarbonizing the industrial sector. Thermal energy may be transported long distances with high exergetic efficiencies using the set of reversible chemical reactions described below

2CO + MO ↔ MCO₃ + C ΔH = -350 kJ ~ -440 kJ

where M represents a Group 2A element. The reactions combine the well-known Boudouard equilibrium with the decomposition of metal carbonate groups [1-5], which combined we have denominated the sorption-assisted Boudouard reaction (SABR). Because CO is kinetically stable at ambient temperatures, thermal energy can be stored indefinitely, transported, and released with modeled roundtrip exergetic efficiencies as high as 80% or at temperatures over 1000°C. A plot of roundtrip heat transport exergy efficiency and optimal heat release temperature as a function of process pressure is presented in the attached figure.

In this presentation, the round trip exergy efficiency, reaction kinetics as determined from DSC/TGA data, and an initial technoeconomic model estimating the cost of integrating the technology into existing industrial applications will be shared. In addition, the exergetic efficiency of steampipe heat transport and the SABR process will also be presented.