📋 Case Study

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Integration with Cement Kiln Preheater

Intermittent solar input mismatched with continuous kiln heat demand (350–450°C)

🏗️ Project Overview

Heidelberg Materials plant, Morocco

🎯 Challenge

Intermittent solar input mismatched with continuous kiln heat demand (350–450°C)

🔧 Design Approach

Two-tank molten salt TES with 12-hr storage duration; thermocline hybrid buffer using ceramic aggregate

📐 Design Diagram

_hot ≈ 565°C Cold Salt Tank T_cold ≈ 290°C Thermocline Buffer Ceramic Aggregate Kiln Preheater 350–450°C Stratification Index: 0.82 Exergy Reduction: −37% Storage Duration: 12 h CSP / Kiln Hot Salt Cold Salt Thermocline

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Thermal Stratification Index

Δρ / ρ_avg × L / D