Development of Novel Thermochemical Heat Storage for Waste Heat Recovery

About the Project

The rising demand for sustainable and efficient energy management has brought attention to the vast amounts of waste heat produced by industries. Heavy industries emit a significant portion of their consumed energy as waste heat. Harnessing this energy, characterized by high energy density and minimal energy loss during extended heat storage, holds a transformative potential for industrial sustainability and environmental conservation.

The central focus of this PhD research lies in the comprehensive study and enhancement of Salt-In-Matrix (SIM) thermochemical heat storage materials. Thermochemical sorption using salt hydrates offers promising avenues due to its high energy density and near-zero energy loss during prolonged storage. However, the pure salt hydrates face thermodynamic and kinetic challenges during their hydration and dehydration phases. The project aims to address and optimize these challenges by:

Material Design and Synthesis: The design and formulation of optimal SIM compositions to enhance thermochemical properties. This involves understanding the interaction between various salts and matrices to achieve the best heat storage potential.

Material Performance Assessment: Evaluate the charge and discharge cycles of SIM materials for energy density, heat release rates, and overall efficiency. This will also involve studying the material's lifecycle, including its performance over multiple cycles and understanding material degradation over time.

Kinetics and Mechanism: Investigate the reaction kinetics of salt hydrates. By developing kinetic models, the intention is to forecast the heat storage performance of materials, aiding the design and fine-tuning of real-world systems. The intertwined process of heat and mass transfer, inherent in thermochemical sorption heat storage, will be a significant point of investigation.

Reactor Design and Optimization: Design and optimization of the reactor are important. By modifying reactor structures, we can improve gas diffusion paths and increase heat exchange areas, promoting faster reactions and higher output power. Furthermore, understanding reactor corrosion and strategizing to reduce such occurrences will be crucial.

System Integration and Performance: Examine how SIM materials can be incorporated into larger systems. This involves understanding the dynamics of closed systems (with periodic vacuum requirements due to non-condensable gases) versus open systems (which can directly exchange mass and energy with the environment but require airflow mechanisms).

Application in Coupled Systems: Evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of SIM materials in coupled systems. While these systems can boost seasonal stability and schedulability, challenges lie in initial costs and system adaptability.

The future of energy conservation and sustainability lies in innovative solutions. This PhD position, deeply embedded in advanced material science and thermochemical research, promises to pioneer new pathways for harnessing waste energy. Through the extensive study and enhancement of SIM materials, this position aims to contribute a vital piece to the puzzle of sustainable energy management.

The ideal candidate for this PhD position should have a strong background in renewable energy and material science with a keen interest in thermochemistry. Proficiency in simulation software such as COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS Fluent, or MATLAB for modelling thermochemical processes is crucial. Their commitment to addressing waste heat challenges, along with analytical skills and innovative thinking, is essential. Collaborative teamwork and prior experience in heat storage and simulation are advantageous.