Developing and Stabilizing Salt-Hydrate Composites As Thermal Storage Materials

The success of thermochemical storage technologies is currently defined by sorptive materials. High adsorption heat and kinetics are material properties, which should correspond to application demands, such as utilizable temperature range and cyclability. Following the example of zeolite production in robust granular form, composite materials were developed which incorporate salt-hydrates in porous host structures. This work presents a new concept of composite material development, wherein hygroscopic salts calcium and lithium chloride are stabilized in clinoptilolite and vermiculite structures, using a granulation process. Additional focus was put on low primary energy input for production steps and taking into account parameters for large-scale production of the composites. Various binder substances and methods were studied. The mechanical stability and adsorption/hydration behavior of salt-composites were investigated. The search for processing approach and alternative binder materials showed promising results.