The Concept, Technical System and Heat Transfer Analysis on Phase-Change Heat Storage Backfill for Exploitation of Geothermal Energy

Xiaoyan Zhang, Muyan Xu, Li Liu, Lang Liu, Mei Wang, Haiwei Ji and Song Ki-Il
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Xiaoyan Zhang: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Muyan Xu: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Li Liu: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Lang Liu: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Mei Wang: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Haiwei Ji: College of Energy, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Song Ki-Il: Department of Civil Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Korea

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: In view of high ground stress, high geothermal temperature, and thermal hazard during deep mineral resource exploitation, the concept of phase-change heat storage backfill was put forward in this study. Further, the corresponding technical system was constructed and the main content involved in technical system, which is the optimized proportion of the backfill slurry added with phase-change materials (PCMs), was examined. Moreover, we elaborated upon the collaborative optimization of a backfill body’s mechanical and thermal properties and the mutual cooperation on backfill mining, geothermal energy exploitation, and simultaneous stope cooling. The heat transfer behavior of a backfill body plays a key role in technology system. We numerically simulated the heat transfer among a backfill body, surrounding rock, and airflow in the heat storage process, as well as the heat transfer between backfill body and cold fluid during the heat release process. The temperature distribution of a backfill body at different heat storage/heat release times—i.e., the temperature distribution and its evolution—with heat transfer were revealed and analyzed. This study can provide theoretical guidance for a phase-change heat storage backfill, as it has an important significance for the collaborative exploitation of mineral resources and geothermal energy.

Keywords: phase-change; heat storage/heat release; backfill body; collaborative exploitation; stope cooling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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