Molten salt power towers operating at 600–650 °C: Salt selection and cost benefits

Journal Article · Wed Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Solar Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.01.063 · OSTI ID:1429606

Turchi, Craig S. ^[1]; Vidal, Judith ^[1]; Bauer, Matthew ^[2]

---

1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
2. ManTech International, Washington, DC (United States)

This analysis examines the potential benefit of adopting the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) Brayton cycle at 600-650 degrees C compared to the current state-of-the-art power tower operating a steam-Rankine cycle with solar salt at approximately 574 degrees C. The analysis compares a molten-salt power tower configuration using direct storage of solar salt (60:40 wt% sodium nitrate: potassium nitrate) or single-component nitrate salts at 600 degrees C or alternative carbonate- or chloride-based salts at 650 degrees C.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1429606
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA--5500-69070
• Journal Information: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 164; ISSN 0038-092X
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English