Comparative Study of the Performance of Packed Beds Using Different Types of Thermal Storage Materials

In packed bed thermal energy storage (PBTES) systems, the selection of a suitable storage material as packing material depends on several factors, including specific heat capacity, desired temperature range, heat transfer properties, thermal stability, cost-effectiveness, and availability. This work offers a comparative analysis of various thermal storage materials, providing valuable insights into their performance and suitability for energy storage applications. A numerical method, subsequently confirmed by experimental results, was used to analyze the performance of the studied packed beds, taking into account the thermo-physical characteristics of the different storage materials. Numerical simulations were carried out over the charging and discharging periods. The findings indicate that the thermal properties of the materials under investigation have a significant impact on the stratification and efficiency of the system. Among the materials evaluated, quartzite emerges as the most promising Sensible Heat Storage (SHS) material for PBTES systems, offering an optimal balance of thermal performance and cost-effectiveness, making it a highly suitable choice for large-scale thermal energy storage applications.