Cheap heat
Transitioning to 100% renewable energy globally would be cheaper and simpler using firebricks, a form of thermal energy storage with roots in the Bronze Age, to produce most of the heat needed for industrial processes, according to a new Stanford study. Today’s industries require high temperatures for manufacturing, which are achieved largely by continuously burning coal, oil, fossil gas, or biomass. With much of the world focused on reducing emissions by transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, the question is how to provide industries with on-demand continuous heat in a 100% renewable world. In a recently published study, researchers from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University proposed that an ancient solution, firebricks, could be the answer. “By storing energy in the form closest to its end use, you reduce inefficiencies in energy conversion,” said Daniel Sambor, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering and a study co-author. “It’s often said in our field that ‘if you want hot showers, store hot water, and if you want cold drink, store ice’; so, this study can be summarized as ‘if you need heat for industry, store it in firebricks.'” As energy from wind and solar fluctuates, it’s important that sources replacing combustion fuels are capable of electricity or heat storage. Refractory bricks, which can withstand high temperatures without damage, have been used for thousands of years – likely since the early Bronze Age – to line furnaces, kilns, fireplaces, and ovens. Similar to refractory bricks, firebricks can store heat or insulate, depending on what they’re made from. Firebricks used for heat storage should have a high specific heat – the amount of heat 1 g of a substance must absorb or lose to change its temperature by 1 °C (1.8 °F) – and a high melting point. Ideal low-cost firebrick materials with these properties include alumina and magnesia or low-grade graphite. Insulating firebricks must withstand high temperatures but have low thermal conductivity to resist heat flow and obtain heat slowly from their surroundings. Silica has a low thermal conductivity, so is regularly used in these types of firebricks.
- 最近发表
-
- A global problem is preventing the wars in Ukraine and Gaza from coming to an end.
- Jamaica hope to pull off upset
- UN aviation agency chief voices concern over North Korea's unannounced missile launches
- Fyre Festival 2 tickets are on sale if you can believe it
- Korea's economy to stop growing without drastic labor change: FKI
- A prominent climate scientist just won a major court battle
- Knee injuries plague women's football
- Police unions said thousands of officers would quit over vaccine mandates. They were wrong.
- DNC 2024 speech: Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have a superpower no other Democrat has.
- Yoon urged to sack ministers over Jamboree debacle
- 随机阅读
-
- Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: The Fenix wins big on battery life
- No impact from release of Iranian assets from S. Korea: White House
- San Francisco school board recall: Parents have had enough.
- Donald Trump shared some thoughts about Netanyahu, Israel, and "the Jews."
- [From the Scene] How ‘world’s first oil town’ is wrestling to become ‘green'
- UN aviation agency chief voices concern over North Korea's unannounced missile launches
- A prominent climate scientist just won a major court battle
- Riot declared in Rittenhouse protest in Portland as Kenosha remains peaceful.
- 12 Sculptures Made From Recycled Materials
- 提效率 强服务 藏茶产业发展后劲足
- Jamaica hope to pull off upset
- Police unions said thousands of officers would quit over vaccine mandates. They were wrong.
- Webb telescope just snapped image of huge black hole gobbling material
- Australia to harness home support
- 2023饲料企业产量20强出炉!已占全国总量62%!
- Elon Musk's X finally agrees to settlement talks with unpaid laid off Twitter employees
- South Korea beefs up drills amid escalating NK provocations
- Experience the awesome power of a rocket launch in this 360 degree video
- England must defy injuries and dip in form
- Player revolt, missing stars hurt Spain's title bid
- 搜索
-
- 友情链接
-