Characterization of the Ratcheting Effect on the Filler Material of a Steel Slag-Based Thermal Energy Storage

Erika Garitaonandia, Peru Arribalzaga, Ibon Miguel and Daniel Bielsa ()
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Erika Garitaonandia: AZTERLAN, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Aliendalde azunea, n°6, 48200 Durango, Spain
Peru Arribalzaga: Centre for Cooperative Research on Alternative Energies (CIC energiGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Albert Einstein 48, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Ibon Miguel: AZTERLAN, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Aliendalde azunea, n°6, 48200 Durango, Spain
Daniel Bielsa: Centre for Cooperative Research on Alternative Energies (CIC energiGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Albert Einstein 48, 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Thermocline thermal energy storage systems play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries. Among available technologies, air-based packed bed systems are promising due to their ability to utilize cost-effective materials. Recently, one of the most intriguing filler materials under study is steel slag, a byproduct of the steel industry. Steel slag offers affordability, ample availability without conflicting usage, stability at temperatures up to 1000 °C, compatibility with heat transfer fluids, and non-toxicity. Previous research demonstrated favorable thermophysical and mechanical properties. Nonetheless, a frequently overlooked aspect is the endurance of the slag particles, when exposed to both mechanical and thermal stresses across numerous charging and discharging cycles. Throughout the thermal cyclic process, the slag within the tank experiences substantial loads at elevated temperatures, undergoing thermal expansion and contraction. This phenomenon can result in the deterioration of individual particles and potential damage to the tank structure. However, assessing the extended performance of these systems is challenging due to the considerable time required for thermal cycles at a relevant scale. To address this issue, this paper introduces a specially designed fast testing apparatus, providing the corresponding testing results of a real-scale system over 15 years of operation.

Keywords: electric arc furnace; packed bed; steel slag; thermal endurance tests; thermal energy storage (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: 2024
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