Parabolic trough power systems that utilize concentrated solar energy to generate electricity are a proven technology. Industry and laboratory research efforts are now focusing on integration of thermal energy storage as a viable means to enhance dispatchability of concentrated solar energy. One option to significantly reduce costs is to use thermocline storage systems, low-cost filler materials as the primary thermal storage medium, and molten nitrate salts as the direct heat transfer fluid. Prior thermocline evaluations and thermal cycling tests at the Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility identified quartzite rock and silica sand as potential filler materials. An expanded series of isothermal and thermal cycling experiments were planned and implemented to extend those studies in order to demonstrate the durability of these filler materials in molten nitrate salts over a range of operating temperatures for extended time frames. Upon test completion, careful analyses of filler material samples, as well as the molten salt, were conducted to assess long-term durability and degradation mechanisms in these test conditions. Analysis results demonstrate that the quartzite rock and silica sand appear able to withstand the molten salt environment quite well. No significant deterioration that would impact the performance or operability of a thermocline thermal energy storage system was evident. Therefore, additional studies of the thermocline concept can continue armed with confidence that appropriate filler materials have been identified for the intended application.
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e-mail: dabross@sandia.gov
e-mail: jwkelto@sandia.gov
e-mail: rmedgar@sandia.gov
e-mail: kchism@sandia.gov
e-mail: beemms@sandia.gov
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February 2005
Technical Papers
Testing of Thermocline Filler Materials and Molten-Salt Heat Transfer Fluids for Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Parabolic Trough Power Plants
Doug Brosseau,
e-mail: dabross@sandia.gov
Doug Brosseau
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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John W. Kelton,
e-mail: jwkelto@sandia.gov
John W. Kelton
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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Daniel Ray,
Daniel Ray
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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Mike Edgar, retired,
e-mail: rmedgar@sandia.gov
Mike Edgar, retired
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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Kye Chisman,
e-mail: kchism@sandia.gov
Kye Chisman
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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Blaine Emms
e-mail: beemms@sandia.gov
Blaine Emms
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
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Doug Brosseau
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
e-mail: dabross@sandia.gov
John W. Kelton
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
e-mail: jwkelto@sandia.gov
Daniel Ray
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
Mike Edgar, retired
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
e-mail: rmedgar@sandia.gov
Kye Chisman
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
e-mail: kchism@sandia.gov
Blaine Emms
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
e-mail: beemms@sandia.gov
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division and presented at the ISEC2004 Portland, Oregon, July 11–14, 2004 of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Division April 28, 2004, final revision May 10, 2004. Associate Editor: A. Steinfeld.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Feb 2005, 127(1): 109-116 (8 pages)
Published Online: February 7, 2005
Article history
Received:
April 28, 2004
Revised:
May 10, 2004
Online:
February 7, 2005
Citation
Brosseau, D., Kelton, J. W., Ray , D., Edgar, M., Chisman, K., and Emms, B. (February 7, 2005). "Testing of Thermocline Filler Materials and Molten-Salt Heat Transfer Fluids for Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Parabolic Trough Power Plants ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. February 2005; 127(1): 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1824107
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