A team of experts from ETH Zurich in Switzerland has developed a heat trap that can absorb concentrated sunlight, creating extremely high levels of heat for production processes. Industries such as cement, metals, and chemicals require temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius, which are currently achieved by burning fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable electricity is not an efficient alternative for high heat levels, so the team at ETH Zurich set out to find a solution.
The team, led by scientist Emiliano Casati and professor Aldo Steinfeld, developed a heat trap using solar radiation that can provide the high temperatures needed for production. The device consists of a quartz cylinder attached to a ceramic absorber, which effectively absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat. In laboratory experiments, the team achieved temperatures of up to 1,050 degrees Celsius, far higher than previous studies with similar devices.
Industrial-scale solar concentration systems currently operate at a maximum temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, but the heat trap developed by the ETH Zurich team minimizes radiant heat loss, increasing efficiency. Casati believes this technology could help accelerate the deployment of high-temperature solar plants and decarbonize energy-intensive industries on a large scale to fight climate change. Further research is needed to optimize the process and conduct economic analyses.
Overall, this innovative heat trap offers a promising solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions in industries requiring high temperatures for production processes. With continued research and development, this technology could play a key role in transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future.
