Solar heat storage using chemical reactions

As an alternative to storage of sensible heat in liquids or solids or as latent heat of fusion, heat storage by means of reversible chemical reactions is under investigation. By this method, a chemical is separated into two components by heating and heat absorption, following which the components are stored in separate vessels and are recombined to generate heat when it is needed. The attractiveness of this concept of heat storage is not only higher energy density, but the capability to store energy as long as desired at ambient temperature, the option of transporting the chemicals to generate heat at another location, and the high temperatures characteristic of some of the reactions which result in high efficiency when the stored heat is used to generate electricity. Many reactions have been proposed and analyzed. Experimental work is in progress on inorganic hydroxide/oxide reactions, the decomposition of ammoniated salts, sulfur trioxide decomposition, ammonium sulfate decomposition, and others. The problems to be solved and potential applications are illustrated by the results of work in progress on Mg(OH)₂ and Ca(OH)₂ decomposition.