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Cross-Cutting CFD Support for Efficient Design of a Molten Salt Electric Heater for Flexible Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Author

Listed:
  • Panagiotis Drosatos

    (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, 6th km. Charilaou-Thermis, GR 57001 Thermi, Greece)

  • Grigorios Itskos

    (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, 6th km. Charilaou-Thermis, GR 57001 Thermi, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Nikolopoulos

    (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, 6th km. Charilaou-Thermis, GR 57001 Thermi, Greece)

Abstract

This study focuses on the optimization of an electric heater design for molten salt pre-heating in a supercritical CO 2 –molten-salt loop. The scope of the investigation is to analyze typical designs of similar components for identifying possible malfunctions and defining proper modifications in the geometry and operating conditions to address such technical issues and optimize the attained thermal efficiency. By performing computational fluid dynamics simulations for reference designs of such components, two particularities pertinent to the temperature distribution are identified as the most likely ones: the development of hot spots and thermal stratification. As a further step, new designs and operating conditions are proposed and their effects on eliminating the hot spots and stratification development phenomena are evaluated. It is shown that the homogeneous distribution of heat flux density across the heating elements is the most favorable option for avoiding the development of hot spots, while the mitigation of thermal stratification is possible through the development of turbulent flow. The proposed design and operating conditions are expected to facilitate the optimization of molten-salt electric heater operation and promote the development of next-generation molten-salt–supercritical-CO 2 concentrating solar power plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Panagiotis Drosatos & Grigorios Itskos & Nikolaos Nikolopoulos, 2023. "Cross-Cutting CFD Support for Efficient Design of a Molten Salt Electric Heater for Flexible Concentrating Solar Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6403-:d:1232782
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Kun & He, Ya-Ling & Zhu, Han-Hui, 2017. "Integration between supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles and molten salt solar power towers: A review and a comprehensive comparison of different cycle layouts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 819-836.
    2. Magrassi, Fabio & Rocco, Elena & Barberis, Stefano & Gallo, Michela & Del Borghi, Adriana, 2019. "Hybrid solar power system versus photovoltaic plant: A comparative analysis through a life cycle approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 290-304.
    3. Crespi, Francesco & Toscani, Andrea & Zani, Paolo & Sánchez, David & Manzolini, Giampaolo, 2018. "Effect of passing clouds on the dynamic performance of a CSP tower receiver with molten salt heat storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 224-235.
    4. Vignarooban, K. & Xu, Xinhai & Arvay, A. & Hsu, K. & Kannan, A.M., 2015. "Heat transfer fluids for concentrating solar power systems – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 383-396.
    5. Delise, T. & Tizzoni, A.C. & Menale, C. & Telling, M.T.F. & Bubbico, R. & Crescenzi, T. & Corsaro, N. & Sau, S. & Licoccia, S., 2020. "Technical and economic analysis of a CSP plant presenting a low freezing ternary mixture as storage and transfer fluid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
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