Update on unifying capture, storage and discharge of thermal energy using miscibility gap alloys

Abstract

This work presents the capabilities of Miscibility Gap Alloy (MGA) thermal storage material to act as a unified capture, storage and discharge material in a concentrated solar power setting. A range of 1500 – 1100 W of thermal power over 0.4 hours was extracted from a MGA storage block, which was heated directly using concentrated sunlight. This power was extracted over a distance of 200 mm using a 50 ml/s flow of water in a 6 mm OD (4mm ID) stainless steel pipe, with the 4 L MGA storage block initially at an average temperature of 440 °C at the beginning of the discharge phase.