Low-temperature TCMs (zeolites, silica gel, salt hydrates such as MgSO₄ or SrBr₂) store heat by desorbing water vapour; mid- and high-temperature TCMs (Ca(OH)₂, CaCO₃, metal oxides such as Co₃O₄ or Mn₂O₃) use reversible decomposition or redox reactions.
Composites that put salts into porous carriers improve stability and heat and mass transfer.
Key facts
- Sorption
- ≈ 50–250 °C
- Hydroxides
- ≈ 300–550 °C
- Carbonates / oxides
- ≈ 500–1,000 °C
- Stage
- Mainly research and demonstration
Material classes6
- Zeolites and silica gel
- Salt hydrates (MgSO₄, SrBr₂, MgCl₂)
- Hydroxides (Ca(OH)₂, Mg(OH)₂)
- Carbonates (CaCO₃)
- Metal oxide redox pairs
- Composite sorbents
Evaluation criteria6
- Reaction enthalpy and energy density
- Reaction temperature and pressure
- Cyclability
- Kinetics and heat transfer
- Corrosion and safety
- Cost
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