Abstract:
In this paper, the mechanical and thermal properties of a sand-clay ceramic
with additives coal bottom ash (CBA) waste from incinerator coal power plant
are investigated to develop an alternative material for thermal energy storage
(TES). Ceramic balls are developed at 1000˚C and 1060˚C using sintering or
firing method. The obtained ceramics were compressed with a compression
machine and thermally analyse using Decagon devise KD2 Pro thermal analyser.
A muffle furnace was also used for thermal cycling at 610˚C. It was
found that the CBA increased the porosity, which resulted in the increase of
the axial tensile strength reaching 3.5 MPa for sand-clay and ash ceramic. The
ceramic balls with the required tensile strength for TES were selected. Their
volumetric heat capacity, and thermal conductivity range respectively from
2.4075 MJ·m−3·˚C−1 to 3.426 MJ·m−3·˚C−1 and their thermal conductivity from
0.331 Wm−1·K−1, to 1.014 Wm−1·K−1 depending on sand origin, size and firing
temperature. The selected formulas have good thermal stability because the
most fragile specimens after 60 thermal cycles did not present any cracks.
These properties allow envisioning the use of the ceramic balls developed as
filler material for thermocline thermal energy storage (structured beds) in
Concentrating Solar Power plants. And for other applications like solar cooker
and solar dryer.
Description:
A Publication submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université Abdou Moumouni, Niger in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Energy
