How does lava energy storage provide heating

Can lava rock be used as a heat storage material?

This study investigates the utilization of lava rock as a sensitive heat storage material in a double-pass solar air heater (DPSAH). The present study uses lava rock as a porous medium and material for sensible heat storage. The lava rock has never been used as a packed bed before in the literature.

Why do lava rock heaters have a good thermal distribution?

It is because of the fact that output temperature is dropping and maintained at the same time by the lava rock. In contrast, the temperature of lava rock remains consistent throughout the charging and discharging process, making good thermal distribution in the heater. Fig. 12.

Can lava rock be used as a heat storage double-pass solar air heater?

The present study used lava rock as the porous medium and sensitive heat storage double-pass solar air heater for thermal performance improvement. The experiment was performed on three sets of configurations: (i) DPSAH with no lava rock, C1-DPSAH, (ii) DPSAH with 50 % lava rock bed, C2-DPSAH, (iii) DPSAH with 100 % lava rock packed bed, C3-DPSAH.

How does lava rock work?

In this design, the lava rock functions as a heat reservoir. As the airflow through the first channel, it undergoes a heat exchange process with the absorber plate, resulting in a progressive elevation of its temperature. Upon reaching the bend, the air comes into contact with the packed lava rock bed.

How does a hot air storage system work?

The project uses 1,000 tonnes of volcanic rock as the storage medium. Electrical energy is converted into hot air through a resistance heater and blower, heating the rock to 650 C. When demand peaks, the system’s steam turbine reconverts the energy into electricity.

How does heat advect out of a lava deposit?

Heat then advects out of the ALFS by the transfer of mass to the “lava deposit” system and, thus, by heat loss to the surroundings through radiation and/or convection. Heat and potential energy for given Δ T and Δ h. For the calculation of Q, a constant c p is assumed, although c p can vary with temperature (e.g., Dingwell 1998).