Novel sensible thermal storage material from natural minerals

Novel sensible thermal storage materials (TSM) were first synthesized via thermally treating the green compact obtained using clay, kaolin tailings, and hematite as major raw materials. The samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric, X-ray diffraction, thermal conductivities, petrography analysis, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal conductivity of the green compact reached 1.11-1.64 W m(-1) K-1 after thermally treated at 200-1,000 A degrees C. The clay component was proven to have a predominant effect on the thermal conductivity of the green compact. Kaolin tailings could act as a modulator for adjusting the thermal conductivity from 1.42 to 1.92 W m(-1) K-1. Affecting mechanism of microstructural change of main components during sintering on thermal conductivity of TSM was prominently investigated. TSM could provide a potential candidate for thermal energy storage systems of concentrated solar power.