An integrated thermal and mechanical investigation of molten-salt thermocline energy storage

Flueckiger, Scott M.; Yang, Zhen; Garimella, Suresh V.

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.12.031

Cited by 139 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Among the different storage systems for high-temperature applications, one-tank thermocline storage (which is a dual system liquid-solid) has received more attention, and different multi-dimensional simulations (mostly two-dimensional) have been performed [15,16,17]. However, less consideration has received the most deployed storage technology (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two-tank molten salt storages are the most widespread thermal energy storage technology within concentrated solar power plants. In spite of this, there are design aspects such as thermal losses control, optimisation of the storage or how these devices scale up with the increase in power capacity of the plant which still should be considered. In this sense, numerical modelling of these systems can be a powerful tool for reducing their cost. The present work aims at modelling molten salt tanks by proposing a parallel modular object-oriented methodology which considers the different elements of the storage (e.g. tank walls, insulation material, tank foundation, molten salt storage media, etc.) as independent systems. Each of these elements can be solved independently and using different levels of modelling (from global to fully three-dimensional models), while at the same time they are to linked each other through their boundary conditions. The mathematical models used, together with some illustrative examples of the application of the proposed methodology, are presented and discussed in detail. Keywords

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Flueckiger et al recently investigated thermal ratcheting via a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) 1 simulation of a thermocline storage volume enclosed with a composite wall [4]. Heat exchange in the dual-media fillerbed was resolved with a two-temperature approach in which the thermal transport in the porous bed and the molten salt is treated separately (and not as a homogeneous mixture), similar to previous investigations [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…[8] was based on a multilayer concept proposed in Ref. [4], with the wall being composed of a steel shell encased on both sides by separate layers of insulation material (internal and external). A parametric analysis of the individual layer thickness and external heat losses was performed to assess optimal designs that could inhibit ratcheting behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermomechanical Simulation of the Solar One Thermocline Storage Tank

Flueckiger

Yang

Garimella

2012

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The growing interest in large-scale solar power production has led to a renewed exploration of thermal storage technologies. In a thermocline storage system, heat transfer fluid (HTF) from the collection field is simultaneously stored at both excited and dead thermal states inside a single tank by exploiting buoyancy forces. A granulated porous medium included in the tank provides additional thermal mass for storage and reduces the volume of HTF required. While the thermocline tank offers a low-cost storage option, thermal ratcheting of the tank wall (generated by reorientation of the granular material from continuous thermal cycling) poses a significant design concern. A comprehensive simulation of the 170 MWh t thermocline tank used in conjunction with the Solar One pilot plant is performed with a multidimensional two-temperature computational fluid dynamics model to investigate ratcheting potential. In operation from 1982 to 1986, this tank was subject to extensive instrumentation, including multiple strain gages along the tank wall to monitor hoop stress. Temperature profiles along the wall material are extracted from the simulation results to compute hoop stress via finite element models and compared with the original gage data. While the strain gages experienced large uncertainty, the maximum predicted hoop stress agrees to within 6.8% of the maximum stress recorded by the most reliable strain gages.

show abstract

“…At the same time, it is desirable to keep the containment surface area requiring thermal insulation to a minimum, due to the high cost of insulation. Additionally, ratcheting of randomly packed beds [5] may lead to containment failure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rock bed thermal storage: Concepts and costs

Allen

Backström

Joubert

et al. 2016

AIP Conference Proceedings

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Experimental and numerical investigation of a packed-bed thermal energy storage device AIP Conference Proceedings 1850, 080027 (2017) Abstract. Thermal storage enables concentrating solar power (CSP) plants to provide baseload or dispatchable power. Currently CSP plants use two-tank molten salt thermal storage, with estimated capital costs of about 22-30 $/kWh th . In the interests of reducing CSP costs, alternative storage concepts have been proposed. In particular, packed rock beds with air as the heat transfer fluid offer the potential of lower cost storage because of the low cost and abundance of rock. Two rock bed storage concepts which have been formulated for use at temperatures up to at least 600 °C are presented and a brief analysis and cost estimate is given. The cost estimate shows that both concepts are capable of capital costs less than 15 $/kWh th at scales larger than 1000 MWh th . Depending on the design and the costs of scaling containment, capital costs as low as 5-8 $/kWh th may be possible. These costs are between a half and a third of current molten salt costs.

show abstract

An integrated thermal and mechanical investigation of molten-salt thermocline energy storage

Abstract: 1Thermal ratcheting is a critical phenomenon associated with the cyclic operation of dual-

Cited by 139 publications

References 24 publications

Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants

Modular object-oriented methodology for the resolution of molten salt storage tanks for CSP plants

Thermomechanical Simulation of the Solar One Thermocline Storage Tank

Rock bed thermal storage: Concepts and costs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About