Lessons Learned From a 1-Year Testing of a Copper Slag Packed Bed Thermal Energy Storage With Radial-flow Topology

Vasquez, Ignacio Calderon, Figueroa, Raimundo Claren, Ortega, José, Araya, Valentina Constanza Segovia, Ponce, Ian Wolde, Escobar, Rodrigo, Cardemil, Jose Miguel

ISES Solar World Congress 2025 · Fortaleza, Brazil · 2025-11-03
Published by International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Abstract

This study reports the experimental testing of a radial-flow packed-bed thermal energy storage (TES) system using Chilean copper slag as storage material. This system is proposed as an affordable solution to integrate renewable electricity in Power-to-Heat applications. Key challenges emerged over a year of operation: heater failures due to external conditions, significant thermal inertia from the steel structure, difficulties in characterizing the system's pressure drop, and temperature measurements due to the filler material's irregular shape. These findings highlight critical design and operational considerations for future TES scale-up.

Keywords

Thermal Energy Storage, Packed-bed, Experimental testing.

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