Energy Storage and Transportation Based on Sulfuric Acid Decomposition and Synthesis Processes

Abstract

A chemical energy storage and transportation system is conceived based on sulfuric acid decomposition and synthesis processes using hot oxygen as a vector. A thermodynamic assessment is carried out to determine the thermal performance of the process; it is found that the energy storage density is about 0.58 GJ/m3 for 365 cycles per year operation, the overall thermal energy storage efficiency is about 62 percent, the energy transportation efficiency is about 29 percent, and the thermal to mechanical energy conversion efficiency is about 25 percent.