Optimized Experimental Setup for Thermochemical Energy Storage Using Strontium Bromide Hexahydrate in Icy/Humid Climates

Abstract

We present a field-tested reactor system for SrBr₂·6H₂O thermochemical storage in extreme environments, integrating: (1) radially finned stainless steel reactors (5 cm pitch) with 0.5 mm PTFE liners for corrosion resistance, (2) solar-driven dehydration at 85±5°C using CPC collectors (18 m² per m³ SrBr₂), and (3) humidity-swing absorption for frost-free hydration below 0°C. The design features LiCl-coated heat exchangers to concentrate ambient vapor (P_H₂O = 0.8×Psat(T+15°C)), enabling 49 W/kg heat output at -20°C – 75% higher than conventional systems. A 5 m³ prototype in Greenland achieved 9-day summer charging (1.05 GJ/m³ storage) and 62 annual cycles with <3% capacity fade. Techno-economic analysis shows 12-year payback at €0.11/kWh, competitive with Arctic heat pumps.