Thermal Storage Materials: The Building Blocks of Heat Batteries
Explore the materials that make thermal energy storage possible, from simple water to advanced phase change materials
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Section 2 of 5Types of Thermal Storage Materials
Sensible Heat Storage
Materials that store heat by increasing temperature. Examples: water, rocks, molten salts. Energy storage depends on mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change.
Latent Heat Storage
Phase change materials (PCMs) that store heat during phase transitions. Examples: paraffin wax, salt hydrates. Much higher energy density than sensible storage.
Thermochemical Storage
Chemical reactions store and release heat. Examples: metal hydrides, carbonation reactions. Highest energy density but more complex systems.
Material Selection Factors
The ideal thermal storage material depends on application requirements: operating temperature range, energy density needed, cost constraints, thermal conductivity, and system complexity tolerance.
Interactive Thermal Material Comparison Tool
Material Comparison
| Material | Type | Heat Capacity | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Sensible | 4.18 kJ/kg·K | $0.001/L | Solar water heating |
| Silica Sand | Sensible | 0.8 kJ/kg·K | $0.05/kg | CSP plants |
| Molten Salt | Sensible | 1.5 kJ/kg·K | $0.50/kg | Concentrated solar power |
| Paraffin Wax | Latent | 2.1 kJ/kg·K | $1.50/kg | Building heating |
| Salt Hydrate | Latent | 3.2 kJ/kg·K | $2.00/kg | Space heating |
| Metal Foam | Sensible | 0.4 kJ/kg·K | $50/kg | Aerospace |