Numerical study of a copper oxide-based thermochemical heat storage system

A multi-physics model is developed to investigate the performance of high-temperature thermochemical heat storage using the redox looping cycle of CuO/Cu₂O. The model involved flow in free and porous domains, heat transfer in the CuO pellet-packed porous domain (i.e., convection between fluid and pellets, conduction and radiation among pellets), and the endothermic/exothermic reaction. The reaction rate was estimated using a non-parametric kinetic approach which depends on temperature and extent of the reaction. The model was validated within <10 % error margin by the experimental measurements of the temperature inside the reactor and the molar fraction of O₂ at the reactor outlet. The validated model is used to determine the temperature variation and reaction evolution in the pellet-packed domain. In the end, parameter studies were implemented, including inlet mass flow rate, reduction temperature, and oxidation temperature. It was found that a large inlet mass flow brings about a high output temperature, and the reaction runs faster with the larger inlet mass flow. Similarly, increasing the furnace temperature during the reduction process (reduction temperature) also increases the output temperature and accelerates the reaction. In contrast, increasing the furnace temperature during the oxidation process (oxidation temperature) only slightly affected the reaction in the present case. This model could provide useful insights into reactor design, scale-up, and operating conditions to improve the energy storage system performance.