Storing Thermal Heat

Calculate the thermal energy stored as sensible heat in a material by raising its temperature using the formula q = V ρ cp dt = m cp dt

Storing Thermal Heat

Thermal energy can be stored as sensible heat in a material by raising its temperature.

The heat or energy storage can be calculated as:

q = V ρ cp dt = m cp dt

Where:

  • q = sensible heat stored in the material (J, Btu)
  • V = volume of substance (m³, ft³)
  • ρ = density of substance (kg/m³, lb/ft³)
  • m = mass of substance (kg, lb)
  • cp = specific heat of substance (J/kg°C, Btu/lb°F)
  • dt = temperature change (°C, °F)

This calculator computes the thermal energy stored based on volume, density, specific heat, and temperature change.

Calculator

Inputs

Results

Heat Stored-- J or Btu
Heat Stored-- kJ
Heat Stored-- kWh
MaterialDensity (kg/m³)Specific Heat (J/kg°C)Energy Density (kJ/m³°C)Temperature Range (°C)
Aluminum27009202484max. 660 (melting point)
Brick19699211813—
Cast Iron72005403889max. 1150 (melting point)
Concrete23059202122—
Fireclay220010002200—
50% Ethylene Glycol - 50% Water1075348037410 - 100
Dowtherm A8672200190712 - 260
Draw salt (50% NaNO₃ - 50% KNO₃)173315502686220 - 540
Granite24007901896—
Liquid Sodium7501260945100 - 760
Molten Salt (50% KNO₃ - 40% NaNO₂ - 7% NaNO₃)168015602620142 - 540
Oak76923851833—
Pine49628031391—
Taconite32008002560—
Therminol 6675021001575-9 - 343
Water1000419041900 - 100

Material Properties Reference

Select material properties from the table above. For example:

  • Granite: density = 2400 kg/m³, specific heat = 790 J/kg°C
  • Water: density = 1000 kg/m³, specific heat = 4190 J/kg°C
  • Cast Iron: density = 7200 kg/m³, specific heat = 540 J/kg°C

Conversion Factor: 1 kJ/kgK = 0.2389 Btu/lb°F