3226 -- Investigation of a Thermochemical Heat Storage System Using Zeolites

The effect of change in heat source temperature on the heat transfer from a heat storage container as part of a heat storage system using zeolites was investigated. The heat storage system is composed of a zeolite heat storage container, a water reservoir, an evaporator, and a vapor-liquid separator; 13X zeolite was selected as the adsorbent and water was selected as the working fluid. A heat exchanger, corrtposed of aluminum fins and copper tubes within which water flows to remove the heat released, was placed in the zeolite container. The results were as follows:

1. The reduction in the heat source temperature from 77°F (25°C) to 41 °F (5°C) yielded a mean transfer rate reduction of about 30%, but the total heat quantity released was almost the same.

2. A water vapor mass flow rate into the zeolite container varied linearly with pressure differences between the zeolite container and the water reservoir.