CLASS OF 2015
WORLD-GENERATION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 V.27 #1
21
AMBITION & AIM
The ambition is to realize a stable and
affordable compact thermal battery for loss-
free heat storage. TCM’s (Thermo
Chemical Materials) seem to be the most
promising route for realization of such a
battery. The concept of most TCM is based
on (de)hydration or oxidation/reduction
reaction of inorganic crystals. A typical
example is the hydration of MgS04. The
aim is to boost the development of appro-
priate TCM materials for compact seasonal
heat storage or low temperature waste heat.
DRIVERS OF THE INITIATIVE
Driver 1:
Built environment - In 2020,
48% of the energy consumption will be ther-
mal energy. There is an unbalance between
heat production, (not needed in the sum-
mer) and heat consumption (needed in the
winter). A heat battery could solve this
problem. It enables local solutions for heat
production and consumption and reduces
the need for transportation.
Driver 2:
Low temperature waste heat
– A large amount of the industrial heat pro-
duction is emitted to the environment. A sta-
ble and compact heat battery could facilitate
storage, transport and trade of thermal heat.
CHALLENGES WITHTCM’S
Improving the energy density of TCM
materials: Compact storage demands small
volumes and high energy densities. The
most promising materials have intrinsic
energy densities around 1-3 GJ/m3. The
effective energy densities are generally
lower, because optimal heat and mass trans-
fer demand specific reactor geometries.
Improving the lifetime of systems with
TCM materials: The most promising class
of TCM materials for the built environment
are salt hydrates. Hydration/dehydration
reactions involve volume changes that
destabilize the material. Stabilization of
TCM’s is a key issue.
Tuning Power:
Depending on the appli-
cation there are different specifications
regarding the rates of (dis)charge. To tune
the kinetics the interplay between the solid-
solid reactions in a TCM and heat/mass
transfer has to be known. The heat conductiv-
ity of the TCM materials itself and the TCM-
conductor interfaces have to be improved.
Safe Operation Window:
As the aim
is to develop a battery for a dwelling, the
operations have to be done not far from the
ambient pressure and at moderate tempera-
tures. A key to the success of TCM’s will be
the ability to tune phase behavior into the
appropriate window.
CONSORTIUM
A Dutch multidisciplinary consortium is
now initiating research activities to tackle the
challenges above. Within this consortium the
Eindhoven University of Technology plays a
coordinating role. Included are the energy
technologists and transport physicists of the
Eindhoven University of Technology, solid-
state and theoretical chemists of the
Radboud University (Nijmegen).
ABOUT DR. HUINIAK
Dr. Huiniak is an Assistant Professor at
Eindhoven University of Technology in the
Dept of Applied Physics/group Transport
in Permeable Media (TMP). His research
expertise is the transport of molecules
through (porous) materials/imaging with
NMR and modeling. He is active in cooper-
ation with several universities to develop a
“heat battery” for the built environment
(seasonal heat storage).
DR.H.R.HUINIAK
Assistant Professor,
Eindhoven University of Technology - The Darcy Lab
PUBLISHER'S LETTER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
and balance supply and demand since
it is a source of both generation and
load, outlined on page 18.
Jim Greenwood says on page 19
the industrial biotechnology sector
works toward a vision of integrated
biorefineries that make multiple
products from biomass.
Stewart Prager projects on page
20 the next step in developing magnet-
ic fusion as a clean, abundant and
safe energy source is the international
fusion experiment ITER.
Dr. H.R. Huiniak relates on page
21 that the aim of the Darcy Lab is to
realize a stable and affordable
compact thermal battery for loss-free
heat storage. The concept of most TCM
is based on (de)hydration or
oxidation/reduction reaction of
inorganic crystals.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR
May/June 2015
INTERSOLAR NA 2015
12TH REFF WALL STREET
POWER-GEN EUROPE (PGE)
EDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTE (EEI)
BIO TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
ORGANIZATION (BIO)
SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL
(SPI)
Ad Closing – April 24th
October/November 2015
19TH BUECHE DIRECTORY
POWER-GEN INTERNATIONAL (PGI)
Ad Closing – September 30th
December/January 2016
CLASS OF 2016
Ad Closing December 18th
Bonus distribution guaranteed at above
conventions.
