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Internally insulated thermal storage system development program. Final report. [Molten salt]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5578631· OSTI ID:5578631

The primary objective of this program is to define a cost effective thermal storage system for a solar central receiver power system using molten salt stored in internally insulated carbon steel tanks. This effort was divided into five tasks. The scope of these tasks were: (1) Task 1, internal insulation materials test program: screening tests of candidate insulation materials were conducted by exposing them in 866°K (1100°F) molten salt for 500 hours. Materials selected from these tests were exposed to 866/sup 0/K salt for up to 5000 hours; (2) Task 2, internally insulated thermocline storage tank analysis: a computer thermal model of internally insulated thermocline tanks was developed to predict thermocline behavior under various operational strategies; (3) Task 3, storage tank design: a preliminary design study and optimization was made of both an externally insulated carbon steel tank for 561°K (550°F) molten salt and an internally/externally insulated carbon steel tank for 839°K (1050°F) molten salt; (4) Task 4, storage system parametric analyses: a computer cost optimization was performed to find the optimum configuration for each of three different storage concepts - thermocline, dual-tank, and cascade systems. The analyses were done as a function of storage size and considered the following factors: tank geometry; number of tanks; insulation type, thickness, and cost; storage use rate; heat loss rate and its impact on upstream costs (heliostats, etc.); and others; (5) Task 5, storage subsystem research experiment (SRE): based on the conclusions of Tasks 1 through 4, a subsystem research experiment was proposed that would demonstrate both fabrication and performance of the major components of the recommended storage design. Results are detailed.

Research Organization:
Martin Marietta Aerospace, Denver, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
5578631
Report Number(s):
SAND--80-8175
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English