Since its launch in May 2023, Calderys has been participating in HEATERNAL, an EU-funded project working to develop a viable decarbonisation solution using thermal energy storage. As the only refractory maker involved in the HEATERNAL project, Calderys has been playing a pivotal role in testing, selecting and prefabricating the refractory solution for the Thermal Energy storage (TES) applications.
This resulted, in March of this year, in a significant milestone with the successful selection of the refractories for the energy storage unit. In collaboration with the University of Ghent and CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), thermo-mechanical studies have been conducted to digitally validate the system’s integrity for both final and test units. Additionally, Calderys has manufactured some refractory samples, which will be subjected to testing in order to evaluate the stress level and the fatigue to ensure the robustness of the design.
“The selection of refractories is a strategic phase in the project as it will ensure the use of optimal materials for enhanced performance and durability,” said Bertrand Hiot, EMEA Technical Support Manager Iron at Calderys. “The thermal energy storage concept stands on a hybrid Ceramic / Phase Change Material (PCM) mechanism. Calderys expertise is crucial in developing a compatible combination of PCM and refractory materials, while ensuring that the system operates reliably and safely under extreme industrial conditions and repeated thermal cycles.”
The HEATERNAL project is currently undergoing final design validation of its storage unit, following the successful finalisation of the pilot design. Looking ahead, the compact pilot unit will be assembled at CEA with the collaboration of Calderys. This unit will then undergo rigorous testing. Completion of the pilot storage unit is expected in the next two months, with a target storage capacity of 50 kWh.