Experimental and simulation research on heat extraction characteristics from a pilot-scale reverse flow reactor for low-grade energy

•The thermal flow reversal reactor with heat recovery systems is constructed.•Low flowrate contributes to establishing initial temperature field.•Steam with 148 kg and 511 K can be produced at 1 % concentration.•The optimum reversing time in this paper is 120 s.•The link between temperature evolution and heat extraction is preliminary explored.