Molten salt electric experiment at CRTF

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9402(1986)112:1(51)· OSTI ID:5172307

Moeller, C E; Tracey, T R

A joint effort between the Department of Energy and private industry through the Electric Power Research Institute combined various subsystems at the Central Receiver Test Facility (CRTF) in Albuquerque, NM, with a steam generator and a turbine/generator to produce electric power. This effort demonstrates the feasibility of using molten salt as the primary medium for energy transfer from a central tower solar receiver through thermal storage to a steam generator. A conventional steam turbine converts the energy by means of the electric generator for delivery of electrical power to the utility grid. The Molten Salt Electric Experiment (MSEE) uses a 5 megawatt thermal (5 MW) solar receiver, which was successfully tested in 1980, to produce 566/sup 0/C liquid sodium nitrate-potassium nitrate (60/40) from a 310/sup 0/C feed supply at the rate of 43,900 kg/H. MW/sub t/ = electrical equivalent of Btu/hr of thermal energy absorbed by a solar receiver.) The hot molten salt then flows into a storage subsystem which was tested successfully in 1981. Checkout of the integrated molten salt system has been underway since the later part of 1983. Design considerations for handling molten salt and precautions required to maintain the liquid phase melting point 221/sup 0/C is examined.

• Research Organization: Black and Veatch, Engrs.-Architects, P.O. Box 8405, Kansas City, MO 64114
• OSTI ID: 5172307
• Journal Information: J. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 112:1; ISSN JLEED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BOILERS
CENTRAL RECEIVER TEST FACILITY
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY STORAGE
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FLUIDS
HEAT STORAGE
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INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
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MELTING POINTS
MOLTEN SALTS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM NITRATES
POWER GENERATION
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
POWER SYSTEMS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SALTS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM NITRATES
SOLAR RECEIVERS
STEAM GENERATORS
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THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
TURBINES
TURBOGENERATORS
TURBOMACHINERY
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VAPOR GENERATORS