Pressure effects on the carbonation of MeO (Me = Co, Mn, Pb, Zn) for thermochemical energy storage

Abstract

Metal carbonates are attractive materials for combining carbon capture and thermochemical energy storage. Carbonate materials feature high decomposition and formation temperatures and may be considered in applications in combination with concentrating solar power. In the present study in-situ P-XRD carbonation (1-8 bar CO₂) and reactor-based experiments (1-55 bar CO₂) are combined focusing on the effect of elevated CO₂ pressures on carbonation of metal oxides. Carbonation of MnO and PbO at CO₂ pressures between 8 and 50 bar in the presence of moisture resulted in reaction with CO₂, forming the corresponding carbonates at notably lower temperatures than under dry CO₂ atmosphere of 1 bar. This enables the application of metal oxide/metal carbonate reaction couples for energy storage at temperatures between 25 and 500 °C. Based on the reversible