High-temperature Thermal Properties and Wear Behavior of Basalt as Heat Storage Material for Concentrated Solar Power Plants

The microstructures, components, thermal stability, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of basalt sample were studied. Besides, as a comprehensive result of thermal expansion and contraction process, both the friction coefficient and wear rate of the basalt sample were also characterized. Our results indicate that basalt is an excellent candidate to be used as thermal energy storage material for concentrated solar power plants, and also provide a strategy for solar energy utilization in volcanic area with excellent geographical environment.