Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory (Fact Sheet)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Calorimetry;    25 Energy Storage;    Melting Points;    Thermal Gravimetric Analysis;    Specifications;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1030842
RP-ID  :  NREL/FS-5500-52847
RP-ID  :  AC36-08GO28308
RP-ID  :  1030842

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

This fact sheet describes the purpose, lab specifications, applications scenarios, and information on how to partner with NREL's Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory at the Energy Systems Integration Facility. The Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory at NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) investigates materials that can be used as high-temperature heat transfer fluids or thermal energy storage media in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Research objectives include the discovery and evaluation of candidate fluids and phase-change materials (PCM) to serve as thermal energy storage media in the temperature range of 300 C to 800 C. Knowledge of thermophysical properties such as melting point, heat of fusion, density, viscosity, thermal stability are essential for understanding how candidate materials could be deployed in CSP plants. The laboratory runs high-temperature instruments for the analysis of thermophysical properties. Small samples of candidate materials are prepared and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and other specialized analytical methods. Instrumentation capabilities are being expanded to allow for analysis of samples up to 1,200 C. Higher temperature operation is one method to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of CSP systems.