Feolite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Feolite is a type of iron oxide sintered into building blocks, which are then used for heat storage.[1][2]
Feolite was developed in Great Britain.[1]
Characteristics
Feolite, one of many materials used for heat storage, being a solid, does not have any volumetric or pressure containment issues, but correspondingly does require the use of a transfer medium to then get the stored heat to the desired location.[3]
The specific heat of feolite is 920.0 J·kg−1·°C−1,[4] its density is 3,900 kg·m−3, and its thermal conductivity is 2.1 W·m−1·°C−1.[5]
Feolite may be used at temperatures up to 1000 °C (1832 F).[1]
History
Feolite was invented in 1969 by Electricity Association Technology, then called Electricity Council Research Centre.[6]
Feolite was a registered trademark[a] in Australia for all iron oxides for use in the manufacture of thermal storage units which has now lapsed, by Electricity Association Technology of the United Kingdom.[7]
Heating systems with a storage component now widely use feolite as the storage core.[8]
Application
Blocks of feolite enclosing sheathed electric heating elements to form a heat storage core, surrounded by thermal insulation, are used in storage heaters and storage radiators.[9][10] Because feolite blocks will conduct electricity, electric heating elements must be electrically insulated when used with feolite storage.[11]
The typical heat exchange medium for feolite storage is air.[10][12][13]
Feolite has been considered for use as a component for braking systems in railway rolling stock.[14]