Energy storage in quicklime (CaO) by a sunparabol?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using quicklime (CaO) for heat energy storage, specifically through the process of burning limestone to quicklime using concentrated solar energy. The participants explore the potential for this method to provide heat for residential use during winter months, as well as the practical considerations of implementing such a system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using a solar parabol to concentrate sunlight to achieve temperatures around 1000°C for converting limestone to quicklime, suggesting this could store significant energy.
  • Another participant questions the assumption that sunlight is sufficient in winter in Sweden, implying that a larger surface area may be necessary to reach the required temperature.
  • There is a discussion about the byproducts of heating calcium hydroxide, with one participant stating that steam is produced rather than hydrogen and oxygen gases.
  • Concerns are raised about the practicalities of heating large quantities of calcium hydroxide, suggesting that smaller portions might need to be heated or a method to move material from the center to the outside of a pile may be required.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in the proposal, but there are differing views on the practicality of achieving the necessary temperatures and the implications of the byproducts during the heating process. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed energy storage method.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a consensus on the effectiveness of using quicklime for energy storage, and there are uncertainties regarding the availability of sunlight in winter and the specifics of the chemical reactions involved.

magi
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Hello.

I am at my university working on an idea if it would be possible to store heat energy in quicklime CaO.
We are to use a solar parabol to concentrate the sunlight and get a temperature in focus around 1000 C degres.

In that temperature it is possible to burn limestone to quicklime and then save it in a airtight storage.
1000 kg have about 320 kWh and can be bought in my country for around 45 $/1000 kg.
Does anyone know if we are wrong about this becouse it seems to easy to save energy this way.
To save energy to heat a house I need to burn around 15000 kg to be able to heat a house over the winter and I try to calculate how big solarparabol we need to build to be able to burn 15000 kg limestone to quicklime in a summer.

After the winter the reaction with water have turned CaO to Ca(OH)2 and it can be burned again to store energy for the next winter.

Do you think it is possible?
Have anyone heard if someone does something like this?
Nobody have tried it in my country so I hope someone out there know something.

I found a PDF-document that NASA did about it, so it seem possible.

http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS58424

Regards Magi
 
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Very interesting proposal..
it sounds plausable to me..
one question , are you saying the sun does not shine in winter in sweden?
you seem to be (roughly) at the same lattidude as southern alaska.?
another question , during the heating process ( with sunlight) is the hydroxide given off as O2 & H2 , or is it steam?
 
willib said:
Very interesting proposal..
it sounds plausable to me..
one question , are you saying the sun does not shine in winter in sweden?
you seem to be (roughly) at the same lattidude as southern alaska.?
another question , during the heating process ( with sunlight) is the hydroxide given off as O2 & H2 , or is it steam?

:-p

We have sun here in winter but i guess I will need a bigger surfice in the parabol to be able to reach 1000 degrees.

When burning calciumhydroxide you get steam I've been told.

http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=890241

o:)
 
When burning calciumhydroxide you get steam I've been told
because if your device liberated H2 & O2 you could burn that too..
Say that you have this large pile of Ca(OH)2 , you might need some way to get the stuff in the center to the outside , where it can be heated .
or just heat smaller portions of it..
 

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