High Temperature Ternary Chloride Molten Salt Pump

Journal Article · 07 December 2023 · SolarPACES Conference Proceedings

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.879 · OSTI ID:2282913

Handy-Cardenas, Lewis ; Anderson, Mark ; Mockels, Claude; Hensel, Joseph

A ternary chloride (MgCl2-NaCl-KCl) molten salt pump has been developed to operate up to 720°C. The design is the result of a thermal, structural and material study of critical components. The vertical overhung pump incorporates first of a kind salt-wetted hydrodynamic bearings. Several bearing material pairings were tested which include: colmonoy grades, stellite grades, and a novel NiWC-based alloy (i.e. HybrimetTM NiWC3b) used as a High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) coating. The coating withstands the corrosion effects of the molten salt, and is also used to protect a 316L stainless steel pump reservoir. The pump bowl assembly components are made of Inconel 625. A Nitrogen flushed carbon ring seal is used to keep salt vapors from interacting with external ambient air. Preliminary testing shows a promising pump design for use in the Concentrating Solar Power Gen 3 systems and sets the ground for further development of the HybrimetTM NiWC3b as a competitive alternative to available superalloys.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0008383
• OSTI ID: 2282913
• Journal Information: SolarPACES Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: SolarPACES Conference Proceedings Vol. 1; ISSN 2751-9899
• Publisher: TIB Open PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English