Using demolition wastes from urban regeneration as sensible thermal energy storage material

Abstract

Summary Efficient use of solar energy in industrial applications calls for a cost‐effective thermal energy storage (TES) system. Packed bed is a viable technology for high‐temperature TES applications. The packing material acting as the TES material has to be sustainable with favorable thermal properties and compatible with the heat transfer fluid. Demolition wastes—leftovers from urban regeneration projects—in many countries are a big burden economically and environmentally. This paper aims to investigate the potential of using demolition wastes as sensible thermal energy storage (STES) material in packed bed column for industrial solar applications below 300°C. STES material samples have been prepared using binding additives with demolition waste dust. Chemical composition, mechanical strength, and thermal analysis tests have been carried out to determine suitability of STES samples. The DSC results showed that new STES samples had average specific heat capacity of 1000 to 1460 J/kg C in temperature range of 100°C to 500°C. The samples were thermally stable until 750°C under TGA analysis. These results showed that demolition wastes are potential low‐cost sensible heat storage material for applications up to 750°C. Furthermore, valorization of demolition wastes as sensible heat storage material is a sustainable approach in reducing fossil fuel consumption of high‐temperature industrial applications and avoiding the use of natural resources as packing material.

Long‐term stability of sensible thermal energy storage materials developed from demolition wastes interacting with hot heat transfer fluid

“…The new STESM was prepared by molding the DW powder with Portland cement to prepare desired geometries. The DW‐CEM I 52.5 white Portland cement mass ratio of 9:1 was defined as the best mortar formulation for higher strength and storage capacity 26 . Tap water was used in preparing the mortar mixtures, which were poured into cubic and spherical molds.…”

“…Most of waste-based STESMs cannot be used as they are and need to be produced by some necessary processes such as crushing, milling, molding, pressing, and so on. 15,16,21,26,39,40 Although its chemical content varies according to the source of waste, DW mainly consists of gypsum, wood (plywood, chip wood and sawdust), masonry (brick, concrete, rock), metals, plastic, and cardboard. DW's physical and chemical properties such as size, shape, density, humidity, and chemical content are not uniform.…”

“…Another advantage of using such waste materials in STES is their compatibility with circular economy that is imposed by EU Green Deal in becoming climate neutral. 25 In our previous studies, [26][27][28] demolition wastes (DW) taken from an urban regeneration project were assessed as alternative STESM in packed-bed TES system for high-temperature industrial applications.…”

Packed-bed sensible thermal energy storage system using demolition wastes for concentrated solar power plants

“…Synthetic thermal oil (Therminol 66) will be used as HTF for storing heat up to 350 °C for CSP plants. Properties of Therminol 66 oil varying with temperature and temperature dependent correlations are given in Equation Demolition wastes from an urban regeneration project in Turkey will be assessed as STESM with a heat capacity of 3200 kJ/m 3 K [1]. The ranges of the operating parameters of the packed-bed system is given in Table 2.…”

“…In addition, finding uniform sized rock particles for efficient packing ratio may be problematic and expensive. [19] Coal Fly Ash 2600 1.3 0.7-1.3 [18] In this study, demolition wastes from urban regeneration projects in Turkey has been investigated as potential STESM [1]. Valorization of these demolition wastes can help efficient utilization of solar energy and reduce solid wastes, which is becoming a huge problem in metropolitan areas.…”