Geometric Optimization of an Electrochemical Purification Cell to Prevent Corrosion in CSP Plants During Operation

Research output: NRELPresentation

Abstract

When exposed to moisture or oxygen, molten chloride salts produce corrosive impurities which degrade containment alloys. As a result, this can significantly decrease the lifetime and increase costs of molten-salt-based systems. To overcome this barrier, we designed and modeled an electrochemical purification cell to remove the corrosive impurity MgOH+. Various reactor architectures, including constant stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs) were investigated. Steady-state thermoelectric properties were evaluated, allowing assessment of the effects of structure and design parameters such as flow rate, cell length, and cross-sectional area of molten salt. The results suggest that our design could most effectively increase reliability and decrease costs of molten-chloride-salt-based systems by protecting them during continuous operation using an annular plug flow reactor.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages13
StatePublished - 2021

Publication series

NamePresented at SolarPACES 2021, 27 September - 1 October 2021

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PR-5500-81438

Keywords

  • chloride salts
  • concentrating solar power
  • corrosion
  • electrochemistry

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