Innovative configurations of thermochemical energy storage devices by topology optimization

Humbert, Gabriele ORCID: 0000-0002-9331-6113 (2023). Innovative configurations of thermochemical energy storage devices by topology optimization. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

One of the main challenges to increasing the share of renewable energy sources in future energy scenarios is the mismatch between energy supply and demand. Thermal energy storage technologies have been identified as one possible solution to this challenge. Among the different thermal energy storage technologies, thermochemical energy storage devices are envisioned to have a large impact due to large theoretical energy density, negligible heat losses and possible heat-upgradation. Such devices rely on reversible chemical reactions where the energy is first stored in the form of chemical compounds generated by means of an endothermic reaction and recovered later on by recombining the compounds to drive an exothermic reaction.

However, several technical limitations still hamper the successful introduction of thermochemical energy storage technologies in the market. In particular, the effective configuring of these devices is a complex engineering challenge due to the intrinsic dynamic operation, the complex multi-physics problems involved and the vast range of system requirements. Furthermore, standard design approaches are often driven by the analysts’ insight and experience, constraining the assessed configurations to a limited number of conceived solutions and precluding the full exploitation of the potential storage material.

To break these barriers, this dissertation explores the use of topology optimization as a systematic design tool for the effective configuration of thermochemical energy storage devices Topology optimization is a form-finding methodology able to identify optimal designs without the need for any guess regarding the initial layout. Compared to conventional design approaches, the key advantage of topology optimization is thus its matchless design freedom. Novel enhancement pathways are identified by the analysis of the emerging design trends, and design solutions that outperform the current state-of-the-art are obtained.

Specifically, this dissertation studies the heat transfer enhancement of reactive beds through the insertion of extended surfaces made of highly conductive material. Design guidelines for practitioners are derived from the analysis of the generated designs for variable bed properties, desired discharge time and bed size. Thus, the mass transfer enhancement of reactive beds is achieved through the generation of non-intuitive flow channel geometries aiming to effectively distribute gas reactants to reactive sites. Finally, the two approaches are combined to generate reactive beds employing optimized flow channel and extended surface geometries, ultimately leading to the concurrent enhancement of heat and mass transfer.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):