-- This project is inactive --
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR), under the CSP R&D FOA, is validating the manufacturability of a large-scale molten salt receiver panel and then confirming its operation in prototypic solar flux. This work is an important step in reducing the LCOE from a central receiver solar power plant.
Approach
The key technical risk to building larger power towers is building a larger receiver systems, specifically the issues involved with key receiver panel features such as the large headers and longer tubes. This project includes the design, fabrication, and testing of an advanced molten salt prototypic sub-scale receiver panel that can be utilized in a large receiver system.
Innovation
PWR is pioneering a molten salt central receiver with the following features:
- Advanced, high temperature tube materials
- A new clip system
- Higher performance insulation
- More efficient manufacturing and assembly processes.
The primary innovation is the size of the receiver, designed for a plant of 200 MW or more. The receiver designed in this project will be utilized by PWR to look at an entire power tower system. There is strong potential for this receiver design to be incorporated into future SolarReserve tower designs.
Learn about other concentrating solar power research.