Abstract
Third-generation (Gen3) concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies require a thermally stable and inexpensive fluid to be used for heat transfer and thermal energy storage. For Gen3 CSP plants, a molten salt composed of MgCl2 - KCl - NaCl is a new candidate, but it is familiar enough to plants with existing molten-salt systems. To determine the best composition for the heat-transfer fluid, we mixed nine different ratios of the salts, dry/purified them following strict protocols, and tested them with a differential scanning calorimeter and a thermogravimetric analyzer. Our results showed that the lowest melting and solidification temperature of 385°C ± 1°C was determined for the eutectic composition 44.7 MgCl2 - 25.8 KCl - 29.4 NaCl (mol.%). We determined that improper handling and preparation of the salt mixture highly affects its thermal properties because of moisture absorption. Preparation standards - particularly the dehydration of hydrous MgCl2 - merit further development.
| Original language | American English |
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| Number of pages | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 25 Jul 2019 |
| Event | 24th SolarPACES International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2018 - Casablanca, Morocco Duration: 2 Oct 2018 → 5 Oct 2018 |
Conference
| Conference | 24th SolarPACES International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2018 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Morocco |
| City | Casablanca |
| Period | 2/10/18 → 5/10/18 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Author(s).
NLR Publication Number
- NREL/CP-5500-74710
Keywords
- associated liquids
- concentrated solar power
- differential scanning calorimetry
- materials properties
- thermal instruments