Experimental and numerical investigations on the water vapor adsorption isotherms and kinetics of binderless zeolite 13X

Sorption materials such as zeolite or silica gel are intensively investigated for thermochemical energy storage applications. Information on the adsorption characteristics of these materials are of utmost importance when designing a process for thermochemical energy storage. For binderless zeolite 13X beads the water vapor adsorption isotherms and the adsorption kinetics have been studied in detail by experimental investigation in a sorption analyzer (adsorption isotherms) and fixed bed reactor (adsorption kinetics). The experimental investigations have shown that this zeolite is characterized by a high water uptake and very fast reaction kinetics. Both properties are of great importance when using this material for thermochemical energy storage applications. A high water uptake is required for a high energy storage density whereas high reaction kinetics are essential for a high thermal power output during adsorption. For an open sorption process, a numerical model of the water vapor adsorption of binderless zeolite 13X beads has been developed and validated by experimental investigations. This model allows an in-depth understanding of the heat and mass transfer during the adsorption process and can furthermore be used for the designing process of thermochemical energy store. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.