Solar-Thermal Mixed-Media Enhancement and Decarbonization of Clinker Formation (Solar MEAD)

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This project aims to characterize and optimize heat transfer processes and designs for using CST energy to form clinker, a key intermediate in the production of cement. Instead of a conventional kiln, which burns natural gas to produce heat, this technology uses a solar receiver developed by project partner Synhelion and a heat transfer fluid composed of light-absorbing greenhouse gases to produce heat. The team will take advantage of these characteristics to maximize heat transfer to the raw cement starting materials by investigating new configurations, features, and heat transfer fluid compositions. Additionally, this project will investigate methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, lower processing temperatures, and increase efficiency of clinker formation using CST.