Molten Salt for Parabolic Trough Applications: System Simulation and Scale Effects

Abstract

AbstractThe trend of solar thermal power plant engineering towards lower investment and energy costs leads to a demand for higher operating temperatures in the plant cycle. The use of molten salts withstanding temperatures up to 550°C is considered for use in CSP plants, in particular for parabolic trough systems. In thermal storage systems fluids as “Solar Salt” (NaNO3/KNO3) are already state of the art.As the thermodynamic boundary conditions are completely different from those of plants utilizing thermal oil, the resulting changes in storage, collector and receiver design have a considerable impact on energy output and on the business case. Simulations carried out in cooperation of SCHOTT Solar CSP GmbH, schlaich bergermann und partner - sbp sonne gmbh and Flabeg GmbH show the effect of different plant layouts and operating conditions in terms of annual power generation, investment costs and LCoE. A comparison to power tower plants is made