Research progress and trends on the use of concrete as thermal energy storage material through bibliometric analysis

A landmark review of concrete as thermal energy storage material is presented through a bibliometric analysis approach. This study shows influential literature and the current relevant research directions. Geographical source and the identification of the significant publications enable determining the leading authors and research groups of the topic. The methodology is based on an accurately defined query, composed of remarkable keywords for the study. Two queries are set out, the first one from a holistic point of view of the topic, while the second one has a special consideration on concrete as TES under high-temperature conditions. Most part of the literature research pays attention to concrete applications in buildings, while other applications such as solar energy are in the rear face. Throughout the years, great interest in latent heat storage technology is observed using phase change material (PCM), implementing them in concrete mixtures or in other formats integrated into a building component. Despite the fact that the area of research is currently in prominent development, some literature gaps and new research directions are identified. Concepts such as climate change mitigation, concrete components, maintenance, are possible in-progress initiatives which need to be further studied.This work was partially funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España (RTI2018–093849-B-C31 - MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (RED2018–102431-T). The authors at the University of Lleida would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group (2017 SGR 1537). GREiA is certified agent TECNIO in the category of technology developers from the Government of Catalonia. This work is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia program. A.L. Pisello thanks the Italian project SOS-CITTA’ supported by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia under grant agreement No. 2018.0499.026

Characterization of Supplementary Cementitious Materials and Fibers to be Implemented in High Temperature Concretes for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Application

Six supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were identified to be incorporated in concrete exposed to high-temperature cycling conditions within the thermal energy storage literature. The selected SCMs are bauxite, chamotte, ground granulated blast furnace slag, iron silicate, silica fume, and steel slag. A microstructural characterization was carried out through an optical microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, and FT-IR. Also, a pozzolanic test was performed to study the reaction of SCMs silico-aluminous components. The formation of calcium silica hydrate was observed in all SCMs pozzolanic test. Steel slag, iron silicate, and ground granulated blast furnace slag required further milling to enhance cement reaction. Moreover, the tensile strength of three fibers (polypropylene, steel, and glass fibers) was tested after exposure to an alkalinity environment at ambient temperature during one and three months. Results show an alkaline environment entails a tensile strength decrease in polypropylene and steel fibers, leading to corrosion in the later ones.Funding This work was partially funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España (RTI2018-093849-B-C31—MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE and RTI2018-093849-B-C32—MCIU/AEI/FEDER) and by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (RED2018-102431-T). This work is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia programme. This study was partially funded by AEI—Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PCI2020-120695-2/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and PCI2020-120682-2/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 through PCI call). Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research groups (2017 SGR 1537 and 2017 SGR 118). GREiA and DIOPMA are certified agents TECNIO in the category of technology developers from the Government of Catalonia. The authors also thank the companies that provided the material to make possible this experimental research: Gestión Medioambiental de Neumáticos S.L., Arciresa, EDERSA—Masaveu Industria and Promsa—Megasa

Research progress and trends on the use of concrete as thermal energy storage material through bibliometric analysis

A landmark review of concrete as thermal energy storage material is presented through a bibliometric analysis approach. This study shows influential literature and the current relevant research directions. Geographical source and the identification of the significant publications enable determining the leading authors and research groups of the topic. The methodology is based on an accurately defined query, composed of remarkable keywords for the study. Two queries are set out, the first one from a holistic point of view of the topic, while the second one has a special consideration on concrete as TES under high-temperature conditions. Most part of the literature research pays attention to concrete applications in buildings, while other applications such as solar energy are in the rear face. Throughout the years, great interest in latent heat storage technology is observed using phase change material (PCM), implementing them in concrete mixtures or in other formats integrated into a building component. Despite the fact that the area of research is currently in prominent development, some literature gaps and new research directions are identified. Concepts such as climate change mitigation, concrete components, maintenance, are possible in-progress initiatives which need to be further studied. © 2021 Elsevier Lt

Embodied energy and embodied carbon of structural building materials: Worldwide progress and barriers through literature map analysis

Climate change mitigation is a recurrent consciousness topic among society and policymakers. Actions are being adopted to face this crucial environmental challenge, with a rising concern with a big impact on the building sector. Construction materials have a high carbon footprint as well as an energy-intensive activity. To measure the environmental damage and effects, life cycle assessment (LCA) is the methodology most widespread. However, the LCA methodology itself and the assumptions done to carry it out leads to a generalized burden to compare the case studies outcomes. LCA method and for instance geographical location are incompatibilities also revealed in embodied energy and embodied carbon assessments. Urgent actions are needed to clarify the confusions arisen in the research, considering a detailed study on the embodied energy and embodied carbon values. From a material level point of view, this paper aims to illustrate the chronological overview of embodied energy and embodied carbon through keywords analysis. Moreover, to support and corroborate the analysis, an organized summary of the literature data is presented, reporting the range of embodied energy and embodied carbon values up to now. This systematic analysis evidences the lack of standardization and disagreement regarding the assessment of coefficients, database source, and boundary system used in the methodology assessment. © 2020 Elsevier B.V