Can lava rock be used as a heat storage material?

This study investigates the utilization of lava rock as a sensitive heat storage material in a double-pass solar air heater (DPSAH). The present study uses lava rock as a porous medium and material for sensible heat storage. The lava rock has never been used as a packed bed before in the literature.

Can lava rock be used as a solar air heater?

Lava rock's integration into the double-pass solar air heater significantly lowered the temperature of the absorber plate as compared to the conventional double-pass solar air heater, showcasing the thermal storage properties of the lava rock.

Can lava rock be used as a heat storage double-pass solar air heater?

The present study used lava rock as the porous medium and sensitive heat storage double-pass solar air heater for thermal performance improvement. The experiment was performed on three sets of configurations: (i) DPSAH with no lava rock, C1-DPSAH, (ii) DPSAH with 50 % lava rock bed, C2-DPSAH, (iii) DPSAH with 100 % lava rock packed bed, C3-DPSAH.

Which solar air heater is suitable for a lava rock packed bed?

Three configurations were examined: (i) Double-pass solar air heater without the lava rock, (ii) Double-pass solar air heater with a 50 % lava rock packed bed, and (iii) Double-pass solar air heater with a 100 % lava rock packed bed.

What is the thermal distribution of lava rock in a heater?

In contrast, the temperature of lava rock remains consistent throughout the charging and discharging process, making good thermal distribution in the heater. Fig. 12. C2-DPSAH Lava Rock charge/discharge at ṁ = 0.02 kg/s for I = 590, 800, and 1000 W/m 2.

What is lava rock used for?

Lava rock is used in the second air channel as a heat storage material and as a heat transfer enhancement technique for the working fluid, air. The experimental setup's solar collector (absorber plate) has dimensions of 2.3 m in length and 0.54 m in width.