Realization of a Based Concrete Thermal Storage Module used with a Medium Temperature Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Thermal solar energy has been considered for years as one of the most promising candidate for the substitution of the conventional systems providing a clean and sustainable energy solution. However, the intermittent aspect of the solar irradiation received by the earth surface presented a major obstacle for the exploitation and the integration of such technology in various applications. In order to avoid this barrier a thermal storage system for solar energy became a necessity especially for the concentrated solar power technologies. This paper shows the work carried out to determine the thermal behavior of a concrete storage unit for medium temperature applications. The experimental thermal storage module using concrete was realized and tested in order to be integrated in an advanced setup to a solar cooling installation powered by a parabolic trough solar collector. The thermal characteristic of the used concrete matrix was determined. The thermal storage module was tested under the same thermal conditions provided by the solar collectors. The temperature variations of the module during the charging and the heat loss during the night time were investigated. The test results showed some interesting thermal inertia of the concrete based storage module. The integration of the proposed storage module to the solar loop of the cooling installation will lead to extend the operation time after sunset and to decrease time lasted by the solar parabolic trough collector to reach the required operational temperature in the morning.