A thermo-mechanical model of packed-bed storage and experimental validation

Several new power plant technologies such as concentrating solar power plants (CSPs) or adiabatic compressed air storages (ACAESs) depend on heat storage systems as central plant elements. Where gaseous heat transfer media at elevated temperature levels are used, a regenerator-type heat storage is a particularly cost-effective solution. Though used in steel and glass industries today, a cost-effective adaptation to power plant applications is still an open issue. When designed as a packed bed, they offer large heat transfer area and numerous options for the use of low-cost inventory materials. However, such a packed bed design is prone to mechanical failures caused by the punctiform contacts, especially during thermo-cyclic operation.