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 language | American English |
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Number of pages | 7 |
State | Published - 1983 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/TP-252-2055
Keywords
- DARTS
- molten salt
- solar thermal systems
- thermal storage