Experimental Assessment of Calcium L-Lactate as Thermochemical heat
Storage Material
Abstract
ThermoChemical heat Storage (TCS) technology based on salt hydrates
offers a viable path in the transition towards more sustainable energy
systems. Albeit, the materials explored so far, within the class of
inorganic salts, suffer of severe drawbacks due to the deliquescence
phenomenon. We aim at progressing here by proposing an organic salt
hydrate, namely calcium L-lactate pentahydrate (CaLP), which is able to
combine a low water solubility, that is, more resistance to
deliquescence, with the coordination to a high number of water molecules
and stability under operating conditions. The thermochemical behaviour
for thermochemical energy storage applications of this salt has been
experimentally assessed for the first time. It was demonstrated that
CaLP reversibly dehydrates/hydrates within an operating temperature
range suitable for low-temperature thermochemical heat storage.
Additionally, the material showed a good thermal and chemical stability.
Morphological and structural investigation conducted in-situ were
carried out while dehydrating/hydrating. Furthermore, water vapor
pressure (pH2O) and temperature boundaries conditions were identified
for defining the operating conditions required by this salt for its
future use as thermochemical heat storage material. The heat storage and
release capacities were estimated to be 1127-900 kJ kg-1 (or 1696-1355
MJ m-3), thus ranking this organic salt among the most competitive
inorganic counterparts. As further advantages, calcium L-lactate is
inexpensive, non-toxic, largely available and shows no deliquescence
related issues, making it suitable for realistic large-scale apparatus.