High Iron Oxide Sintered Material for Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to improve the efficiency of thermal storage units, particularly in terms of energy storage capacity and density, to enhance energy savings and align with environmental and economic regulations.
Innovation Solution
A sintered material with a specific chemical composition, including high iron oxide content and controlled ratios of CaO, SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3, is developed for manufacturing particles and particulate mixtures, which are then used to create high-density energy storage elements with optimized void volume fractions for improved thermal storage performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high iron oxide content sintered material is used to increase energy storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to precise composition control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the chemical composition parameters of the sintered material. Specifically, it maintains iron oxide content at 85-95% by weight, CaO at 0.1-6%, SiO2 at 0.1-6%, with specific CaO/SiO2 ratios between 0.2-7. This systematic parameter optimization enables high energy storage capacity while managing manufacturing complexity through defined compositional ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple oxide components (Fe2O3, CaO, SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3) in specific proportions to create a sintered material with optimized properties. The composite structure allows the material to achieve high density and energy storage capacity while maintaining manufacturability through controlled composition ratios.
2Quantity of substance
If void volume fraction is reduced to increase storage capacity, then energy storage density is improved, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials principle by optimizing the void volume fraction to a specific range of 30-60%. This controlled porosity allows the sintered material to maintain sufficient heat exchange surfaces while achieving high storage capacity. The porous structure enables heat exchange fluid to access internal surfaces, preventing energy loss despite reduced void space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by precisely controlling the void volume fraction between 30-60% and relative density between 90-98%. This parameter optimization balances the contradiction between storage capacity and heat exchange efficiency, allowing the material to achieve high density while maintaining adequate thermal performance through defined structural parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in high-density energy storage elements that enhance the storage capacity and efficiency of thermal storage units, allowing for better utilization of renewable energy sources and cost-effective energy management.
Implementation Method 1
The sintered refractory product is in particular intended to constitute energy storage elements in a heat energy storage unit, known as 'thermal storage unit'
Implementation Method 2
The storage operation, by heat exchange between a stream of heat-exchange fluid and the thermal storage unit, is conventionally called 'charging'
Implementation Method 3
The heat energy stored may subsequently be restored, by heat exchange between a stream of heat-exchange fluid and the energy storage elements
Data Source
AI summary
A sintered material exhibiting the following chemical composition, as percentages by weight: iron oxide(s), expressed in the Fe2O3 form, ≥85%, CaO: 0.1%-6%, SiO2: 0.1%-6%, 0.05% ≤TiO2, 0≤Al2O3, TiO2+Al2O3≤3%, and constituents other than iron oxides, CaO, SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3: ≤5%. The CaO/SiO2 ratio by weight is between 0.2 and 7. The TiO2/CaO ratio by weight is between 0.2 and 1.5.