Lava thermal energy storage

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.

Can volcanic rocks store energy?

John Kosowatz is senior editor. A large electrothermal energy storage project in Hamburg, Germany, uses heated volcanic rocks to store energy. Siemens Gamesa, the company behind the pilot project, says it’s a cost-effective and scalable solution to store renewable energy.

What is the thermal distribution of lava rock in a heater?

In contrast, the temperature of lava rock remains consistent throughout the charging and discharging process, making good thermal distribution in the heater. Fig. 12. C2-DPSAH Lava Rock charge/discharge at ṁ = 0.02 kg/s for I = 590, 800, and 1000 W/m 2.

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.

What is the thermal efficiency of a lava rock at 1000 W/m2?

At 1000 W/m 2 solar irradiance, C1-DPSAH, C2-DPSAH, and C3-DPSAH exhibited higher thermal efficiencies ranging from 18.2% to 65.02%, 25.27% to 72.17%, and 26.28% to 76.41%, respectively. In the absence of lava rock (C1-DPSAH), the plate temperature (Tp) of 91.3 °C was observed at (m) ̇of 0.06 kg/s under 1000 W/m2 solar irradiance.

Why is lava a heat sink?

The greater volume of lava rock works as a heat sink, allowing for efficient heat storage, - transfer and extending contact between the airflow and the absorber plate. This extended interaction improves the heat exchange process, resulting in better heat transfer and, as a result, higher thermal efficiency.