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Assessing the effect of size variation in graphite and alginate matrices for thermochemical heat storage

Jack Reynolds, NIGEL KOUNGAMPILLIL, Jonathon Elvins, Eifion Jewell Orcid Logo, Justin Searle Orcid Logo, Nicola Mumford Orcid Logo, Cameron Pleydell-Pearce, Richard Johnston Orcid Logo

Applied Thermal Engineering, Volume: 269, Issue: Part B, Start page: 126138

Swansea University Authors: Jack Reynolds, NIGEL KOUNGAMPILLIL, Jonathon Elvins, Eifion Jewell Orcid Logo, Justin Searle Orcid Logo, Nicola Mumford Orcid Logo, Cameron Pleydell-Pearce, Richard Johnston Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.126138

Abstract

The charging and discharging performance of thermochemical heat storage (TCHS) materials within practical applications will be influenced by key material and reactor properties such as thermal conductivity, ease of airflow through the material bulk and moisture exchange kinetics. This study examines...

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Published in: Applied Thermal Engineering
ISSN: 1359-4311 1873-5606
Published: Elsevier BV 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69031
Abstract: The charging and discharging performance of thermochemical heat storage (TCHS) materials within practical applications will be influenced by key material and reactor properties such as thermal conductivity, ease of airflow through the material bulk and moisture exchange kinetics. This study examines the impact of varying the bead size of Alginate-Graphite-CaCl2 composites on the thermal and kinetic performance under static and dynamic conditions. Successful synthesis was achieved, with variations in composite composition ascribed to differential shrinkage factors during freezing. XCT studies highlighted improved packing with decreasing bead diameter although this significantly increases the differential pressure across the bed. Smaller diameters result in increased water sorption, which corresponds with higher peak temperatures and sustained temperature elevation during discharging analysis. Charging materials at temperatures between 90–150 °C has minimal effect on the ultimate charge profile. However, materials with large diameters display an improved charging efficiency advantage up to a charging level of 50 % but ultimately the smallest composites exhibit a slight efficiency improvement at 95 % charge.
Keywords: Thermochemical heat storage; Charging and discharging performances; Graphite-aided composite; Kinetic performance evaluation; Material characterisation; Bead size effects
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: The authors would like to thank the Materials and Manufacturing Academy and COATED CDT (COATED M2A) in Swansea University, EPSRC SUSTAIN Future Manufacturing Hub (EP/S018107/1) and the Place Based Impact Acceleration Account The SWITCH to Net Zero Buildings UKRI/EPSRC (EP/Y024060/1). X-ray micro-computed tomography was supported by the Advanced Imaging of Materials (AIM) core facility (EPSRC Grant No. EP/M028267/1), the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government (80708), a Welsh Government Enhanced Competitiveness Infrastructure Grant (MA/KW/5554/19) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government.
Issue: Part B
Start Page: 126138

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