Particle Handling in Particle-Based Pumped Thermal Energy Storage: Article No. 052001

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A particle-based pumped thermal electricity storage system stores high-temperature heat (~1000 degrees C) in low-cost silica sand and generates power through an efficient power cycle. Central to this system is a counterflow direct-contact gas/particle fluidized-bed heat exchanger, which can significantly improve the heat exchange process due to the large heat transfer surface area of particles. To showcase a lab-scale 10- to 20-kWe heat exchange process with particles heating up to 300 degrees C, a comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis of the fluidization condition inside the heat exchanger was conducted. The heat exchanger was designed to target for heat exchange process of 10-20 kW and accommodate an air mass flow rate of 0.3-0.7 kg/s. The fluidization condition was set to maintain stable bubbling fluidization, thereby maximizing the particle-to-air heat transfer. An air distributor was designed to equally distribute air over the bed, which can avoid defluidized zones in the heat exchanger. Additionally, particle handling systems including L-valves, screw conveyors, and pneumatic conveyors were developed for the prototype heat exchanger, efficiently conveying high-temperature particles at 0.2-0.5 kg/s. This work lays the foundation for scaling up the system and integrating it into larger energy storage applications, demonstrating its potential for efficient, high-temperature thermal energy storage and power generation.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Energy Resources Technology, Part A: Sustainable and Renewable Energy
Volume1
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5700-90974

Keywords

  • fluidized bed
  • heat exchanger
  • particle
  • particle transport
  • thermal energy storage

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