A brighter world, one story at a time.

Researchers make a groundbreaking advancement in thermal storage research, developing a new efficient material that is easily scalable and can be sized and shaped to fit multiple applications.

Published in the Journal of Materials Science, the material has been made using alginate, an inexpensive, abundant and non-toxic seaweed derivative.

The process starts with the dissolving of sodium alginate in water. Following this, expanded graphite is added, and a method of gelation is chosen:

  • The first method is achieved by transferring the solution into a mould for freezing. After being kept at - 20°C for over two hours, beads are formed and transferred to a saturated calcium chloride solution.
  • The second uses a drop-cast technique, with the mixture being dropped into thermochemical calcium salt, causing gelation on contact.
  • Once sufficient salt diffusion has occurred, the synthesised beads are filtered and dried at 120°C.

Compared to our previous carrier material, vermiculite, the alginate-based beads from both methods offer a remarkable improvement in heat storage capacity.

The new spherical beads boast increased salt capacity, achieving up to four times greater energy density than the vermiculite carrier. This is facilitated by their efficient packing in a fixed bed that maintains good airflow. As a result, the new material can achieve the same heat energy storage capacity in just a quarter of the volume.

Beads which can store heat, which would otherwise be wasted, from various sources, including industrial operations and the summer sun. The new material has been made using alginate, an inexpensive, abundant and non-toxic seaweed derivative.

Jack Reynolds, who led the research as part of his doctorate at Swansea University, explains:

"The ability to recover and store otherwise-wasted heat from various sources, including industrial operations and the summer sun, presents an exciting opportunity in the quest for sustainable and affordable energy resources. Our new heat storage material marks a significant step forward in realising this potential."

Dr Jonathon Elvins, Senior Technology Transfer Fellow and co-author, added:

"We remains committed to driving innovation in thermal storage technology and actively collaborating with industry partners and researchers worldwide to accelerate the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.”

"To explore new applications for this latest technology, we are preparing for a trial at Tata Steel UK’s Trostre steelworks to investigate ways of capturing waste heat from industrial processes for use elsewhere."

  • The research was funded by the European Regional Development Fund

Written by Ffion White for Swansea University News



You’ve successfully subscribed to Happy Daze
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.