2. Opportunities
• No way to provide space heating using only
battery power
• PV Thermal systems size can be reduced by
50% if thermal energy can be stored
• First responders have no intrinsically safe way to
provide space heating using only battery power-
must ship fuel and fuel stoves
• No way to store heat indefinitely for future use
without extensive insulation
2John N. Skardon
3. Product Concept
• Modular/Portable Units (10-40 lbs)
• Store heat at room temperature, no
insulation, keep on shelf until needed
• Release heat by adding humid room temp
air- only requires a battery powered fan to
release kilowatts of hot air
• 4X energy storage capacity of water
3John N. Skardon
4. A Few Technical Basics
• Material
– Synthetic adsorbent
– Can be purchased (bulk) or made on site
– Can be grown as very thin film
– Density: 650 kg/m3
– Energy storage 200kwh/m3
, upper limit
300 kwh/m3
4John N. Skardon
5. 5
Adsorption- Exothermic
Generation of Heat
Adsorbent filled cylinder Hot Dry
Air out
60-80C
As water adsorbs onto the Adsorbent, energy is
released and the weight of the Adsorbent container
increases due to the adsorbed water (max about
250mg/g of Adsorbent
uController
Rh, T sensors Rh, T sensors
25-35C
90% RH Air In
Temp Lift 15-40C
John N. Skardon
6. 6
Desorption-Endothermic
Thermal Storage
As water desorbs, steam
is released and the weight
of the adsorbent container decreases
Adsorbent filled cylinder
Moist air
out
Renewable powered
air heater or waste
heat
150 to 250C
John N. Skardon
7. Simple Product Concepts
• Energy storage appliance
• Modular/expandable
energy storage “bank”
• Room Heater
• Emergency heat for car,
truck, first responder
• Seasonal heat storage
• Carbon credits?
7
A 20kg unit can store about
6 KW indefinitely at room
temp, no insulation needed.
Unit must be kept air tight
during storage (valves
closed)
John N. Skardon
