Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Building Applications Via Integrated Thermochemical Energy Storage Systems

The utilization of thermochemical energy storage (TCES) with inorganic salts and water as working pairs is viewed as a promising technology for building applications. However, the application and advancement of open TCES systems are hindered by the limited availability of water vapor. This study presented a viable application model that integrates TCES technology with building ventilation systems, utilizing expanded vermiculite-K2CO3 composite sorbents for thermal energy storage. Subsequently, a thorough examination of the operational efficiency of the integrated system in short-term thermal energy storage (TES) mode was undertaken alongside numerical simulations, utilizing a single-family dwelling as a case study. The results of the study demonstrate that over the course of the entire heating season, the solar fraction of the heating system experienced respective increases of 4.46, 6.45, and 8.05% with the incorporation of 50, 75, and 100 L TCES units, as opposed to without TCES. These findings suggest that the integration of TCES units holds promise for enhancing the energy-saving capabilities of the heating system.