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By converting and storing thermal energy, it is a demand-side technology that shifts thermal users' energy consumption from times of demand to times of availability
About
The e-Thermal Bank operates on the principle of microwave-powered chemical heat
pump. It leverages reversible thermochemical reactions of a solid sorbent and a gaseous
sorbate to convert and store electrical energy as thermal energy. Here's a simplified
breakdown of the operating principles:
• Microwave Heating: A microwave generator powers the thermochemical reactor
to drive an endothermic reaction, such as desorption or decomposition. This
process enables the sorbate to dissociate from the solid sorbent and
subsequently be liquefied in a condenser, particularly in a closed system. During
this phase, the condensation heat is released, which can be harnessed for
specific applications. This unique method allows the system to operate with high
efficiency, as it not only stores thermal energy but can also generate usable heat
during this. This approach distinguishes itself from other thermal storage systems
by amplifying the amount of heat during both the conversion and storage
processes, thanks to the heat pump e@ect.
• Thermal Energy Storage: The thermochemical reactions in the e-Thermal Bank
store thermal energy at a high density, functioning similarly to a "battery" for heat.
Unlike sensible or latent heat storage, where heat loss can occur during the
storage period, thermochemical energy storage minimizes or eliminates such
losses. This is because the energy is stored in the chemical bonds of the reactants,
which remain stable until the energy is required for discharge, making this method
highly efficient for long-term storage.
• Energy Discharge: When thermal energy is needed, the stored thermochemical
energy is released by evaporating the liquid sorbate, which triggers an exothermic
reaction with the solid sorbent, generating heat. Notably, the evaporation process
can also produce cooling simultaneously, making the system adaptable for both
heating and cooling needs. This dual functionality enhances the overall efficiency
and flexibility of the e-Thermal Bank, particularly for applications requiring both
heating and cooling.
This system efficiently bridges the gap between the intermittency of renewable energy
sources and the continuous demand for thermal energy, ensuring optimized use of
renewable electricity while minimizing reliance on traditional heating systems.
Key Benefits
The e-Thermal Bank offers several key advantages over traditional thermal storage
systems, including:
• High Energy Density: By utilizing thermochemical reactions, the e-Thermal Bank
stores thermal energy at a much higher density of approximately 1600 Wh/kg,
which is six times greater than that of a lithium-ion battery.
• Dual Functionality (Heating and Cooling): The system can generate both heat and
cooling simultaneously through the evaporation and condensation processes,
o@ering a versatile solution for a wide range of applications.
• Waste Heat Recovery: The "chemical heat pump" design allows for efficient
recovery and reuse of waste heat, further boosting system efficiency.
• Scalability: The e-Thermal Bank can be integrated with existing systems such as
HVAC, industrial heat production, and even electric vehicle heat management
systems, making it highly adaptable to various sectors.
• Grid flexibility: Microwave heating ensures rapid, efficient, and targeted energy
input to drive the thermochemical reactions, enhancing system performance to
shifts heating and cooling energy demand to periods of renewable energy surplus.
These advantages make the e-Thermal Bank an innovative solution for improving energy
e@iciency and enabling the integration of renewable energy into thermal applications
across different industries.
Applications
space heating to replace the gas boilers or heat pumps