Dr. Andrea Gutierrez, Head of the Research Group „Thermische Systeme mit Phasenwechsel“ at Deutschen Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
Language: German
Latent heat storage systems based on phase change materials (PCM) enable flexible, demand-driven provision of steam for industrial process heat. Depending on the available energy source, the storage systems can be charged directly with electricity, via a high-temperature heat pump, or using industrial waste heat. By decoupling heat generation from energy availability, renewable energy and waste heat can be used efficiently and integrated into industrial processes independently of time.
The systems are characterised by high energy density, enabling particularly compact designs. This reduces the use of materials, especially steel, and helps lower investment costs. At the same time, both output and storage capacity can be flexibly adapted to specific process requirements.
A further advantage lies in the targeted selection of suitable phase change materials, allowing optimal adaptation to different temperature levels in industrial applications. This results in scalable, efficient, and robust storage systems that support reliable and flexible steam generation for industrial processes and make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of process heat.
