Solar Heat for a Hot Dip Galvanizing Process Using Linear Fresnel Collectors and Packed Bed Thermal Energy Storage
Abstract
Galvanized steel is essential in various industries for corrosion-resistant structures. Its production requires a process that demands high-temperature heat commonly supplied by gas burners. To support industry decarbonization, the present study explores the implementation of a heating system based on linear Fresnel collectors working with solar salt, and coupled to a thermocline packed-bed thermal energy storage system (PBTES). A thermodynamic model using the TESPy library was implemented to assess the performance of a plant located in Santiago, Chile, comprising a solar collector field of 850 m² of aperture area and indirect PBTES, filled with copper slag as storage media. The model allowed the evaluation of year-round performance with PBTES volumes ranging from 5.3 m³ to 261.3 m³. The results show effective daytime solar heat provision, complemented by nighttime discharge from PBTES, promoting a continuous operation. A parametric analysis showed a peak effective solar fraction of 37.23% was achieved at a storage volume of 12.6 m³.
Keywords
industrial solar heat, packed-bed storage, Galvanizing, Fresnel collectors.