The use of graphite foams for simultaneous collection and storage of concentrated solar energy

dc.contributor.authorBadenhorst, Heinrich
dc.contributor.authorFox, Natasha
dc.contributor.authorMutalib, Ashraf
dc.contributor.emailcarbon@up.ac.zaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-05-05T13:47:09Z
dc.date.issued2016-04
dc.description.abstractGraphite foams of varying composition and density were prepared using a low cost, local pitch material and expandable graphite for use in solar energy capture. The foams have a high degree of graphitization but exhibit a fine mosaic texture. A small oxidative treatment (6% mass loss) was necessary to fully open the foam pores. As the density is reduced a large decrease in the foam surface area was observed. Despite this, an increase in solar energy capture efficiency was measured due to increased circulation through the foam. By varying foam geometry and the concentration ratio it was demonstrated that the receiver size can be reduced by 75% at the same efficiency. The foam with the lowest density was used to test the thermal performance of a simultaneous energy capture and storage concept using a phase change material. The melting time of the phase change material is reduced by 46% whilst only reducing the energy storage density by 18%. In addition it was found that the foam composite resulted in more ideal phase transition behaviour due to the elimination of incongruent melting. The composite can effectively capture, store and discharge thermal energy, at a constant temperature, without any additional requirements.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentChemical Engineeringen_ZA
dc.description.embargo2017-04-30
dc.description.librarianhb2016en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipSouth African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant No 97994).en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.elsevier.com/locate/carbonen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBadenhorst, H, Fox, N & Mutalib, A 2016, 'The use of graphite foams for simultaneous collection and storage of concentrated solar energy', Carbon, vol. 99, pp.17-25.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0008-6223 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1873-3891 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.carbon.2015.11.071
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/52492
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherElsevieren_ZA
dc.rights© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Carbon. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Carbon, vol. 99, pp. 17-25, 2016. doi : 10.1016/j.carbon.2015.11.071.en_ZA
dc.subjectGraphite foamsen_ZA
dc.subjectSolar energyen_ZA
dc.subjectThermal performanceen_ZA
dc.titleThe use of graphite foams for simultaneous collection and storage of concentrated solar energyen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

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