Optimized design of Ca-based thermochemical heat storage materials for concentrated solar power

Ca-Looping concentrated solar power with direct radiation absorption mode is promising, provided that the low light absorption of CaCO3/CaO can be solved. In this work, Ca-based thermochemical materials (CTMs) doped with Fe and Mn elements were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The added Fe and Mn elements increase the absorption of CTMs, while also effectively improving cyclic stability. Calcination experiments show that Ca0.15Fe2.85O4 can be used as additional materials to improve the absorption of CaCO3/CaO, and in particular, the near IR region. Additional findings suggest that morphology and cyclic stability of the materials are closely related. The porosity and pore size of CaCO3/CaO was also controlled by adjusting the amount of citric acid used during processing.

Automated summary

In this study, Ca-based thermochemical materials doped with Fe and Mn elements were synthesized via the sol-gel method, showing that the added Fe and Mn elements can enhance the absorption and cyclic stability of the materials. Additionally, it was found that the porosity and pore size of CaCO3/CaO can be controlled by adjusting the amount of citric acid used during processing.