The research study will be released today (February 17, 2023) in the journal Science Advances.
Barocaloric thermal batteries: Concept and realization. Credit: Institute of Metal Research
An inverted barocaloric effect is characterized by a pressure-induced endothermic response, in sharp contrast to a normal barocaloric effect where pressurization results in an exothermic reaction. “A barocaloric thermal battery cycle consists of three actions, including thermal charging upon pressurization, storage with pressure, and thermal discharging upon depressurization,” stated Prof. LI, matching author of the research study.
The barocaloric thermal battery was emerged in ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN). Discharge appeared as the heat of 43 J g-1 or a temperature increase of about 15 K. The heat released was 11 times greater than the power input.
To comprehend the physical origin of the unique inverted barocaloric impact, the working product NH4SCN has been well defined using synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering strategies. It undergoes a crystal structural stage transition from a monoclinic to an orthorhombic phase at 363 K, accompanied by a volumetric unfavorable thermal growth of ~ 5% and entropy modifications of about 128 J kg-1 K-1.
This shift is easily driven by pressure as low as 40 MPa, and it is the first inverse barocaloric system with entropy modifications greater than 100 J kg-1K-1. Pressure-dependent neutron scattering and molecular characteristics simulations showed that the transverse vibrations of SCN ¯ anions are boosted by pressure and the hydrogen bonds that form the long-range order are then damaged.
As a result, the system becomes disordered in action to external pressure and therefore the product soaks up heat from the environment.
As an emerging option for controling heat, barocaloric thermal batteries are expected to play an active role in a variety of applications such as low-temperature hazardous waste heat harvesting and reuse, solid-state refrigeration heat transfer systems, clever grids, and property heat management.
Reference: “Thermal batteries based on inverted barocaloric results” 17 February 2023, Science Advances.DOI: 10.1126/ sciadv.add0374.
This research study was supported by CAS, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Scientists in China have actually proposed and understood a brand-new principle– barocaloric thermal batteries based on the distinct inverted barocaloric impact. With this they can draw out thermal energy from low-temperature waste heat sources and reuse it as needed, just by managing the pressure
A Chinese research study group has established a brand-new concept for extracting thermal energy from low-temperature waste heat sources and reusing it on demand simply by controlling the pressure.
Heat production represent more than 50% of the worlds final energy consumption and analysis of waste heat potential reveals that 72% of the worlds main energy consumption is lost after conversion, primarily in the form of heat. It is also accountable for more than 30% of international greenhouse gas emissions.
Against this background, researchers led by Prof. LI Bing from the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have proposed and recognized a brand-new concept– barocaloric thermal batteries based on the special inverse barocaloric result.