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U.S. Department of Energy
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Advanced high-temperature molten-salt storage research

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5793931

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/sup 0/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 raft performance experimentally, and it performs equally or better than a natural thermocline. Containment materials for the molten salts ae being experimentally screened. NaOH has a very high corrosion rate on ceramics and metals. Both carbonates and chlorides can be contained at 900/sup 0/C with relatively little corrosion. Based on the measured corrosion rates, the economic potential of molten-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.

Research Organization:
Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-77CH00178
OSTI ID:
5793931
Report Number(s):
SERI/TP-252-2055; CONF-830974-8; ON: DE84000001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English