Enhanced gas-liquid absorption through natural convection studied by neutron imaging

Heat release from absorption storage heat pump by means of water vapor into aqueous sodium hydroxide is limited uptake kinetics affecting temperature gain, as well power- and energy density the method. Earlier studies pinpoint that natural diffusion alone not sufficient to reach higher rate, surface bulk exchange has be enforced. In this paper, different technical solutions problem for application are introduced studied neutron imaging, enabling visual observation diffusion. The experiments brought fore buoyancy changes associated with may utilized markedly enhance kinetics. This concept was applied on a vertically installed spiral finned tube operating mass exchanger pump, also referred sorption storage. By flooding space between fin absorbent, vertical leads driven movement liquid, supplying unspent NaOH exchanging it diluted liquid. found increase rate markedly. Under realistic specific conditions, gain 12.5 K, an active area power 1.28 kW/m2 243 kWh/m3 in respect volume charged absorbent (greatest volume) reached. It proposed carful design will further improve overall performance.