IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2023i1p22-d1303549.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Molten Salts Tanks Thermal Energy Storage: Aspects to Consider during Design

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Prieto

    (Department of Energy Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
    Build to Zero S.L, c/Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, 2, 41092 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Adrian Blindu

    (Department of Energy Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Luisa F. Cabeza

    (GREiA Research Group, Universitat de Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Juan Valverde

    (Virtualmechanics S.L, c/Arquitectura 1, 41015 Sevilla, Spain
    Departamento de Matemática Aplicada 2, Universidad de Sevilla, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Guillermo García

    (Build to Zero S.L, c/Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, 2, 41092 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

Concentrating solar power plants use sensible thermal energy storage, a mature technology based on molten salts, due to the high storage efficiency (up to 99%). Both parabolic trough collectors and the central receiver system for concentrating solar power technologies use molten salts tanks, either in direct storage systems or in indirect ones. But even though this is a mature technology, it still shows challenges in its implementation and operation. This paper underscores the critical importance of stringent design criteria for molten salt tanks in thermal storage technology. Focusing on the potential ramifications of design failures, the study explores various dimensions where an inadequate design can lead to severe consequences, even jeopardizing the viability of the entire technology. Key areas discussed include structural integrity, corrosion, thermal shock, thermal expansions, and others. By elucidating the multifaceted risks associated with design shortcomings, this paper aims to emphasize the necessity of thorough reviews and adherence to robust design principles for ensuring the success, safety, and sustainability of thermal storage technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Prieto & Adrian Blindu & Luisa F. Cabeza & Juan Valverde & Guillermo García, 2023. "Molten Salts Tanks Thermal Energy Storage: Aspects to Consider during Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:22-:d:1303549
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/22/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/22/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rodríguez, I. & Pérez-Segarra, C.D. & Lehmkuhl, O. & Oliva, A., 2013. "Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 402-414.
    2. Nieto-Maestre, Javier & Muñoz-Sánchez, Belén & Fernández, Angel G. & Faik, Abdessamad & Grosu, Yaroslav & García-Romero, Ana, 2020. "Compatibility of container materials for Concentrated Solar Power with a solar salt and alumina based nanofluid: A study under dynamic conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 384-396.
    3. Suárez, Christian & Iranzo, Alfredo & Pino, F.J. & Guerra, J., 2015. "Transient analysis of the cooling process of molten salt thermal storage tanks due to standby heat loss," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 56-65.
    4. Ghaddar, N. K. & Al-Marafie, A. M. & Al-Kandari, A., 1989. "Numerical simulation of stratification behaviour in thermal storage tanks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 225-239.
    5. Tagle-Salazar, Pablo D. & Prieto, Cristina & López-Román, Anton & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2023. "A transient heat losses model for two-tank storage systems with molten salts," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tagle-Salazar, Pablo D. & Prieto, Cristina & López-Román, Anton & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2023. "A transient heat losses model for two-tank storage systems with molten salts," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    2. Lappalainen, Jari & Hakkarainen, Elina & Sihvonen, Teemu & Rodríguez-García, Margarita M. & Alopaeus, Ville, 2019. "Modelling a molten salt thermal energy system – A validation study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 126-145.
    3. Suárez, Christian & Iranzo, Alfredo & Pino, F.J. & Guerra, J., 2015. "Transient analysis of the cooling process of molten salt thermal storage tanks due to standby heat loss," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 56-65.
    4. Yu, Qiang & Li, Xiaolei & Wang, Zhifeng & Zhang, Qiangqiang, 2020. "Modeling and dynamic simulation of thermal energy storage system for concentrating solar power plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    5. Xiaoming Zhang & Yuting Wu & Chongfang Ma & Qiang Meng & Xiao Hu & Cenyu Yang, 2019. "Experimental Study on Temperature Distribution and Heat Losses of a Molten Salt Heat Storage Tank," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Rodríguez, I. & Pérez-Segarra, C.D. & Lehmkuhl, O. & Oliva, A., 2013. "Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 402-414.
    7. Hoz, Jordi de la & Martín, Helena & Montalà, Montserrat & Matas, José & Guzman, Ramon, 2018. "Assessing the 2014 retroactive regulatory framework applied to the concentrating solar power systems in Spain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 1377-1399.
    8. Odenthal, Christian & Steinmann, Wolf-Dieter & Zunft, Stefan, 2020. "Analysis of a horizontal flow closed loop thermal energy storage system in pilot scale for high temperature applications – Part II: Numerical investigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    9. Li, Qing & Bai, Fengwu & Yang, Bei & Wang, Zhifeng & El Hefni, Baligh & Liu, Sijie & Kubo, Syuichi & Kiriki, Hiroaki & Han, Mingxu, 2016. "Dynamic simulation and experimental validation of an open air receiver and a thermal energy storage system for solar thermal power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 281-293.
    10. Song, Xiaoqian & Geng, Yong & Zhang, Yuquan & Zhang, Xi & Gao, Ziyan & Li, Minghang, 2022. "Dynamic potassium flows analysis in China for 2010–2019," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    11. Buonomano, Annamaria & Calise, Francesco & Ferruzzi, Gabriele, 2013. "Thermoeconomic analysis of storage systems for solar heating and cooling systems: A comparison between variable-volume and fixed-volume tanks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 600-616.
    12. Chidambaram, L.A. & Ramana, A.S. & Kamaraj, G. & Velraj, R., 2011. "Review of solar cooling methods and thermal storage options," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3220-3228, August.
    13. Chacartegui, R. & Alovisio, A. & Ortiz, C. & Valverde, J.M. & Verda, V. & Becerra, J.A., 2016. "Thermochemical energy storage of concentrated solar power by integration of the calcium looping process and a CO2 power cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 589-605.
    14. Villada, Carolina & Bonk, Alexander & Bauer, Thomas & Bolívar, Francisco, 2018. "High-temperature stability of nitrate/nitrite molten salt mixtures under different atmospheres," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 107-115.
    15. Feng, Changling & E, Jiaqiang & Han, Wei & Deng, Yuanwang & Zhang, Bin & Zhao, Xiaohuan & Han, Dandan, 2021. "Key technology and application analysis of zeolite adsorption for energy storage and heat-mass transfer process: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    16. Kaygusuz, Kamıl, 2000. "Experimental and theoretical investigation of a solar heating system with heat pump," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 79-102.
    17. Skrbek, Kryštof & Bartůněk, Vilém & Sedmidubský, David, 2022. "Molten salt-based nanocomposites for thermal energy storage: Materials, preparation techniques and properties," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    18. Luisa F. Cabeza & Emiliano Borri & Cristina Prieto, 2022. "Bibliometric Map on Corrosion in Concentrating Solar Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, April.
    19. Khan, Mohammed Mumtaz A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2017. "A review for phase change materials (PCMs) in solar absorption refrigeration systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 105-137.
    20. Nation, Deju D. & Heggs, Peter J. & Dixon-Hardy, Darron W., 2017. "Modelling and simulation of a novel Electrical Energy Storage (EES) Receiver for Solar Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 950-973.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:22-:d:1303549. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.