A review study on solar tower using different heat transfer fluid

Abstract

The object of research is distinguishing the different heat transfer fluids (HTF) in concentrating solar power (CSP). CSP technologies are gaining more attention these years due to the fact that the world is facing significant problems, especially concerning environmental issues and the increasing electricity demand. The world countries are currently committed to mitigating climate change and limiting greenhouse gas emissions to keep the global temperature rising below 2 °C. As a result, renewable energy sources are required for power generation. One of the most widely used technologies is the solar tower, where mirrors reflect solar radiation into a central receiver on top of a tower that contains a working fluid known as heat transfer fluid. The HTF is one of the most important components in solar power tower plants used to transfer and store thermal energy to generate electricity. This study focuses on the HTF used in solar power towers and how it can affect the efficiency of the plant. The HTF discussed in this study are air, water/steam, molten salts, liquid sodium, and supercritical CO2. Among the review of HTFs in the solar tower system, the result of the research shows that the Air can reach the highest temperature while liquid sodium achieves the highest overall plant efficiency.