Experimental investigation of thermal performance in a solid sensible heat storage device for medium-high-temperature flue gas waste heat recovery

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2025.0110

Abstract

Abstract:

To improve the low utilization efficiency of industrial flue gas waste heat caused by high dust content and significant temperature fluctuations, a novel horizontal flue gas–solid sensible heat storage device employing high-temperature concrete as the thermal storage medium was developed. A pilot-scale system was designed and constructed for the recovery and storage of waste heat from steel sintering ring-cooled flue gas. Experimental investigations were conducted to analyze the temperature distribution, flow resistance characteristics, instantaneous energy efficiency, thermal efficiency, and exergy efficiency of the storage device. The results revealed the formation of thermoclines along the axial direction during charging and discharging, with higher temperatures near the charging inlet and a relatively uniform radial temperature distribution. The device exhibited a low pressure drop, with a gradual pressure increase during charging and a corresponding decrease during discharging. Both the instantaneous energy efficiency and heat transfer power declined over time. Lower flue gas flow rates yielded more stable instantaneous efficiency, extended heat exchange duration, and reduced pressure drop, though at the cost of decreased heat transfer power. Therefore, the optimal flow velocity should be selected according to application requirements. During stable operation, the system achieved a heat storage capacity of 1376 kWh, with thermal and exergy efficiencies of 93.02% and 91.7%, respectively. The parallel-plate heat exchange structure enabled efficient heat transfer between the solid storage unit and dusty flue gas while effectively mitigating ash deposition and channel blockage. These findings provide an experimental foundation for the scale-up and application of flue gas-solid sensible heat storage systems.

Key words: flue gas waste heat, solid sensible heat storage, thermocline, thermal performance, experimental study

CLC Number:

TK 11

Jiulin CHEN, Xiaodi XUE, Li WANG, Zhijue XING. Experimental investigation of thermal performance in a solid sensible heat storage device for medium-high-temperature flue gas waste heat recovery[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2025, 14(8): 3185-3193.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

References 20

[1]	胡鞍钢. 中国实现2030年前碳达峰目标及主要途径[J]. 北京工业大学学报(社会科学版), 2021, 21(3): 1-15.
	HU A G. China's goal of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and its main approaches[J]. Journal of Beijing University of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 2021, 21(3): 1-15.
[2]	熊超, 李新创, 李冰. 双碳目标下的钢铁节能理念创新与能源结构重塑探讨[J]. 中国冶金, 2021, 31(9): 59-63. DOI: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn1006-9356.20210298.
	XIONG C, LI X C, LI B. Discussion on steel energy-saving concept innovation and energy structure reconstruction under "double carbon" target[J]. China Metallurgy, 2021, 31(9): 59-63. DOI: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn1006-9356.20210298.
[3]	魏一鸣, 余碧莹, 唐葆君, 等. 中国碳达峰碳中和时间表与路线图研究[J]. 北京理工大学学报(社会科学版), 2022, 24(4): 13-26. DOI: 10.15918/j.jbitss1009-3370.2022.1165.
	WEI Y M, YU B Y, TANG B J, et al. Roadmap for achieving China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality pathway[J]. Journal of Beijing Institute of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 2022, 24(4): 13-26. DOI: 10.15918/j.jbitss1009-3370.2022.1165.
[4]	路哲. 我国工业余热回收利用技术现状分析[J]. 装备制造技术, 2019(12): 204-206.
	LU Z. Analysis on current situation of industrial waste heat recovery in China[J]. Equipment Manufacturing Technology, 2019(12): 204-206.
[5]	何雅玲. 热储能技术在能源革命中的重要作用[J]. 科技导报, 2022, 40(4): 1-2.
	HE Y L. The important role of thermal energy storage technology in the energy revolution[J]. Science & Technology Review, 2022, 40(4): 1-2.
[6]	姜竹, 邹博杨, 丛琳, 等. 储热技术研究进展与展望[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2022, 11(9): 2746-2771. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239. 2021.0538.
	JIANG Z, ZOU B Y, CONG L, et al. Recent progress and outlook of thermal energy storage technologies[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(9): 2746-2771. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0538.
[7]	FERNANDEZ A I, MARTÍNEZ M, SEGARRA M, et al. Selection of materials with potential in sensible thermal energy storage[J]. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2010, 94(10): 1723-1729. DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.05.035.
[8]	KHARE S, DELL'AMICO M, KNIGHT C, et al. Selection of materials for high temperature sensible energy storage[J]. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2013, 115: 114-122. DOI: 10. 1016/j.solmat.2013.03.009.
[9]	LAING D, LEHMANN D, FIß M, et al. Test results of concrete thermal energy storage for parabolic trough power plants[J]. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2009, 131(4): 041007. DOI: 10.1115/1.3197844.
[10]	SKINNER J E, STRASSER M N, BROWN B M, et al. Testing of high-performance concrete as a thermal energy storage medium at high temperatures[J]. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2014, 136(2): 021004. DOI: 10.1115/1.4024925.
[11]	RAHJOO M, GORACCI G, MARTAUZ P, et al. Geopolymer concrete performance study for high-temperature thermal energy storage (TES) applications[J]. Sustainability, 2022, 14(3): 1937. DOI: 10.3390/su14031937.
[12]	STEINMANN W D, ODENTHAL C, ECK M. System analysis and test loop design for the CellFlux storage concept[J]. Energy Procedia, 2014, 49: 1024-1033. DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.03.110.
[13]	EGGERS J R, VON DER HEYDE M, THAELE S H, et al. Design and performance of a long duration electric thermal energy storage demonstration plant at megawatt-scale[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2022, 55: 105780. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2022.105780.
[14]	ODENTHAL C, STEINMANN W D, ZUNFT S. Analysis of a horizontal flow closed loop thermal energy storage system in pilot scale for high temperature applications-Part I: Experimental investigation of the plant[J]. Applied Energy, 2020, 263: 114573. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114573.
[15]	王艳, 白凤武, 杨贝, 等. 高温显热-潜热复合储热系统传热特性研究[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2017, 6(4): 719-725.
	WANG Y, BAI F W, YANG B, et al. Heat transfer behavior of a combined sensible-latent thermal energy storage system for high temperature appilications[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2017, 6(4): 719-725.
[16]	孙守斌, 姚华, 刘常鹏, 等. 钢铁行业中低温烟气余热相变储热装置特性分析[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2020, 9(3): 730-734. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2020.0051.
	SUN S B, YAO H, LIU C P, et al. Characteristics analysis of the phase change thermal storage equipment for medium and low temperature flue gas from steel industry[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2020, 9(3): 730-734. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2020.0051.
[17]	肖刚, 祝培旺, 甘晟池. 锅炉烟气储热系统: CN119333847A[P]. 2025-01-21.
	XIAO G, ZHU P W, GAN S C. Boiler flue gas heat storage system: CN119333847A[P]. 2025-01-21.
[18]	陈久林, 薛晓迪, 邢至珏, 等. 一种储热装置: CN116222279A[P]. 2023-06-06.
	CHEN J L, XUE X D, XING Z J, et al. Heat storage device: CN116222279A[P]. 2023-06-06.
[19]	KOUSKSOU T, STRUB F, CASTAING LASVIGNOTTES J, et al. Second law analysis of latent thermal storage for solar system[J]. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2007, 91(14): 1275-1281. DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2007.04.029.
[20]	MOFFAT R J. Describing the uncertainties in experimental results[J]. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 1988, 1(1): 3-17. DOI: 10.1016/0894-1777(88)90043-X.