Sumitomo SHI FW fluidized bed technology – upscaling thermochemical energy storage to a commercial level

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- One of the largest obstacles in using renewable energy efficiently is the possibility to store energy on a large scale. SaltX Technology AB has partnered with Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW) to solve this in terms of heat energy.

"The storage solution is like a "salt battery". It is based on a basic chemical process with a very common material, calcium oxide produced from limestone, with enhanced properties by our nanocoating process", explains Carl-Johan Linér, CEO of SaltX.

Simplified, when calcium oxide reacts with water, it turns into calcium hydroxide and releases heat. Respectively, when calcium hydroxide is dried, it absorbs heat.

SFW has designed a fluidized bed pilot reactor, which serves as the point of discharge, where the salt releases the heat. The new 100 kW reactor in SaltX's new testing installation in Sweden, near Stockholm, combines the performance of SaltX's patented nanocoated salt with SFW's fluidized bed technology.

"SFW's technology has huge potential to take the salt battery solution to the next, commercial level in terms of size, with high efficiency. Our reactor can mix the salt and the water vapour very effectively, which makes it superior compared to other technologies especially in very large-scale applications.", emphasizes Timo Jäntti, SVP Technology and R&D at SFW.

The pilot will be commissioned at the beginning of 2021. As the next step, SaltX intends to further scale-up to discharge 1 MW of thermal power in a demonstration project.

About Sumitomo SHI FW

Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW) is a global, innovative provider of energy and environmental technologies and services focusing on high efficiency and flexible generation of energy. We strive to provide sustainable energy solutions for a wide portfolio of customer needs in the fields of power generation, storage and network services. www.shi-fw.com

About SaltX Technology

SaltX Technology AB develops and sells a patented energy storage technology based on nanocoated salt. The Company collaborates with partners such as Spanish INERCO ITC and Chinese Shuangliang Boilers. SaltX Technology's shares are listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. www.saltxtechnology.com.

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