Design Features and Material Selection Methodology of High-Temperature Particle-Based Thermal Energy Storage Bin

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal performance of a proposed design for a particle-based thermal energy storage (PBTES) system. A small-scale TES bin was constructed using masonry materials and a multi-layered structure. The primary objectives were to quantify heat loss through the bin’s wall and to evaluate the thermal conductivity of the insulating material, calcium silicate (CS), at elevated temperatures. Heat transfer rates were measured and calculated using two methods, yielding a minimal discrepancy of 3% between the results. The thermal conductivity of the CS was determined to be 0.115 W/m·K, indicating its effectiveness as a thermal barrier. Additionally, the expansion joint (EJ) layer demonstrated the ability to recover its original thickness after cooling, confirming its utility in relieving stresses resulting from the thermal expansion of the inner layers. These findings support the scalability and efficiency of the proposed PBTES system design.