Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-1-2020

Publication Title

Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction

Volume

7

Issue

1

First page number:

1

Last page number:

6

Abstract

Molten salt (MS) storage systems in the 565°C range can store green solar energy from thermal solar power station, such as the Crescent Dunes solar plant in Nevada. Large containers can be used to store energy and generate electricity for eight hours or more to be used at night or during peak demand hours, depending on the container size. Energy storage can reduce the fluctuation due to weather conditions experienced at thermal solar power stations because stable diurnal energy supply is made available by MS energy storage. Supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the research presented discusses the considerations for designing molten salt storage tanks. An alternate molten salt storage cylindrical tank design layout is presented, including an improved roof design concept. A preliminary heat transfer analysis is presented and discussed for the alternate cylindrical tank design. This preliminary analysis was used to determine the thickness of insulating material in and around the cylindrical tank to reduce heat flux. These insulating materials include the use of firebrick and ceramic insulation to complement the structural carbon steel and the stainless steel that is used for corrosion resistance. This paper also introduces the alternate designs of a semi-buried spherical tank and drop shell tank that can be used storing molten salts.

Keywords

Commercial Electric Station; Energy Production; Solar Salts; Thermal Solar Power

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Engineering | Environmental Engineering

File Format

pdf

File Size

606 KB

Language

English

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

UNLV article access

Search your library

Share

COinS