Advanced High-Temperature Molten-Salt Storage Research

    Research output: NRELTechnical Report

    Abstract

    We are researching advanced high-temperature molten-salt thermal storage for use in direct absorption receiver and thermal storage (DARTS) solar thermal systems. A molten salt at 900 degrees C or higher is both the receiver heat transfer medium and the storage medium; a unique insulated platform (raft) separates the hot and cold medium in the thermocline thermal storage. We have measured raftperformance experimentally, and it performs equally or better than a natural thermocline. Containment materials for the molten salts are being experimentally screened. NaOH has a very high corrosion rate on ceramics and metals. Both carbonates and chlorides can be contained at 900 degrees C with relatively little corrosion. Based on the measured corrosion rates, the economic potential ofmolten-salt thermal storage was analyzed. Both the chlorides and carbonates have potential (i.e., cost less than value) at the capacity of storage expected for commercial-scale solar thermal systems.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages7
    StatePublished - 1983

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/TP-252-2055

    Keywords

    • DARTS
    • molten salt
    • solar thermal systems
    • thermal storage

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