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An Experimental Study of the Decomposition and Carbonation of Magnesium Carbonate for Medium Temperature Thermochemical Energy Storage

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  • Daniel Mahon

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Gianfranco Claudio

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Philip Eames

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

Abstract

To improve the energy efficiency of an industrial process thermochemical energy storage (TCES) can be used to store excess or typically wasted thermal energy for utilisation later. Magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3 ) has a turning temperature of 396 °C, a theoretical potential to store 1387 J/g and is low cost (~GBP 400/1000 kg). Research studies that assess MgCO 3 for use as a medium temperature TCES material are lacking, and, given its theoretical potential, research to address this is required. Decomposition (charging) tests and carbonation (discharging) tests at a range of different temperatures and pressures, with selected different gases used during the decomposition tests, were conducted to gain a better understanding of the real potential of MgCO 3 for medium temperature TCES. The thermal decomposition (charging) of MgCO 3 has been investigated using thermal analysis techniques including simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), TGA with attached residual gas analyser (RGA) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) (up to 650 °C). TGA, DSC and RGA data have been used to quantify the thermal decomposition enthalpy from each MgCO 3 .xH 2 O thermal decomposition step and separate the enthalpy from CO 2 decomposition and H 2 O decomposition. Thermal analysis experiments were conducted at different temperatures and pressures (up to 40 bar) in a CO 2 atmosphere to investigate the carbonation (discharging) and reversibility of the decarbonation–carbonation reactions for MgCO 3 . Experimental results have shown that MgCO 3 .xH 2 O has a three-step thermal decomposition, with a total decomposition enthalpy of ~1050 J/g under a nitrogen atmosphere. After normalisation the decomposition enthalpy due to CO 2 loss equates to 1030–1054 J/g. A CO 2 atmosphere is shown to change the thermal decomposition (charging) of MgCO 3 .xH 2 O, requiring a higher final temperature of ~630 °C to complete the decarbonation. The charging input power of MgCO 3 .xH 2 O was shown to vary from 4 to 8136 W/kg with different isothermal temperatures. The carbonation (discharging) of MgO was found to be problematic at pressures up to 40 bar in a pure CO 2 atmosphere. The experimental results presented show MgCO 3 has some characteristics that make it a candidate for thermochemical energy storage (high energy storage potential) and other characteristics that are problematic for its use (slow discharge) under the experimental test conditions. This study provides a comprehensive foundation for future research assessing the feasibility of using MgCO 3 as a medium temperature TCES material. Future research to determine conditions that improve the carbonation (discharging) process of MgO is required.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Mahon & Gianfranco Claudio & Philip Eames, 2021. "An Experimental Study of the Decomposition and Carbonation of Magnesium Carbonate for Medium Temperature Thermochemical Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:5:p:1316-:d:507936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yate Ding & S.B. Riffat, 2012. "Thermochemical energy storage technologies for building applications: a state-of-the-art review," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 8(2), pages 106-116, January.
    2. Hammond, G.P. & Norman, J.B., 2014. "Heat recovery opportunities in UK industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 387-397.
    3. Yan, T. & Wang, R.Z. & Li, T.X. & Wang, L.W. & Fred, Ishugah T., 2015. "A review of promising candidate reactions for chemical heat storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 13-31.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Yang & Yingjie Li & Xianyao Yan & Jianli Zhao & Chunxiao Zhang, 2021. "Development of Thermochemical Heat Storage Based on CaO/CaCO 3 Cycles: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-26, October.
    2. Carlos Ortiz, 2021. "Thermochemical Energy Storage Based on Carbonates: A Brief Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-3, July.

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