-- This project is inactive --
he University of Alabama, under the Thermal Storage FOA, is developing thermal energy storage (TES) media consisting of low melting point (LMP) molten salt with high TES density for sensible heat storage systems.
Approach
They will conduct detailed tests using a laboratory-scale TES system to:
- Investigate the thermal performance of the TES
- Determine the lifecycle of the LMP molten salt system
- Gauge round-trip efficiency.
The research team is also conducting investigations of corrosion behavior and material selections for a laboratory-scale TES system, as well as studies of recyclability, environmental impact, and economic and cost analysis of the optimized LMP molten salt and TES system.
Innovation
Alabama's LMP molten salt is projected to have the following characteristics compared to current salts:
- Lower melting point
- Higher energy density
- Lower power-generation cost
This program aims to develop a heat transfer fluid/storage medium capable of operating at temperatures >650°C, allowing for operation of higher conversion efficiency turbines. This has the potential to reduce the cost of TES to <$15/kWth and achieve round-trip efficiencies >93%.
Publications, Patents, and Awards
- D. Mantha, T. Wang, and R.G. Reddy, "Thermodynamic Modeling of Eutectic Point in the LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3 Ternary System," Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 110-114, 2012.
- R.G. Reddy, T. Wang, and D. Mantha, "Thermodynamic Properties of Potassium Nitrate-Magnesium Nitrate Compound [2KNO3-Mg(NO3)2]," Thermochimica Acta, Vol. 531, pp. 6-11, 2012.
- T. Wang and R.G. Reddy, "Thermal Stability of Low Melting Point NaNO3-NaNO2-KNO3 Ternary Salt for Solar Thermal Energy Storage," Presented in Mineral & Metallurgical Processing: Pyrometallurgy at SME Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, February 19-20, 2012.
- T. Wang, D. Mantha, and R.G. Reddy, "High Thermal Energy Storage Density LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3-KNO2 Quaternary Molten Salts for Parabolic Trough Solar Power Generation," chapter 10 in Energy Technology 2012: Carbon Dioxide Management and Other Technologies, M.D. Salazar-Villalpando, N.R. Neelameggham, D.P. Guillen, S. Pati and G.K. Krumdick, eds., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, 2012.
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