A.G. Fernández

3 – Using molten salts and other liquid sensible storage media in thermal energy storage (TES) systems

This chapter describes the principles of heat storage systems, with emphasis on sensible storage media on an industrial scale. This chapter provides information on both organic and inorganic commercial heat storage liquid media and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. Improvements in thermophysical properties of existing molten salts, such as heat capacity, thermal stability and thermal conductivity, are described. Also, the results of research into developing new low melting point molten salt mixtures and other promising sensible heat storage liquid media, such as metals, alloys and ionic liquids, are presented.

Corrosion Characterization in Components for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

This chapter presents the corrosion characterisation methods used for thermal energy storage, in molten salts used in CSP plants and phase change materials (PCM) used for latent energy storage. The chapter also summarises results found in the literature and give hints on corrosion mitigation techniques.

Characterization of Materials for Sensible Thermal Energy Storage at High Temperature

Among the several materials that can be appropriate for thermal energy storage (TES) application, this study focuses on sensible heat storage technology. In particular, are selected the common used materials at high temperature, molten salts and concrete. The aim is to define the key parameters and characterization techniques that determine the suitability of the material for TES. Broadly, in both materials thermo-physical and mechanical properties are evaluated. In the characterization of these materials highlights the procedure and equipment used to measure the specific properties. Mainly, the testing depends on the required sample size and operating temperature to be achieved. This chapter is based on the characterization carried out in previous researches as well as to define these thermal and mechanical techniques properly.

Thermophysical properties and corrosion characterization of low cost lithium containing nitrate salts produced in northern Chile for thermal energy storage

In recent years, lithium containing salts have been studied for thermal energy storage (TES) systems applications, because of their optimal thermophysical properties. In solar power plants, lithium is seen as a way to improve the properties of molten salts used today. Lithium nitrate is a good candidate for sensible heat storage, due to its ability to increase the salt mixture’s working temperature range. In the present research, thermophysical properties characterization of lithium nitrate containing salts, produced in Chile, have been carried out. Corrosion evaluations of carbon and low chromium steels were performed at 390°C for 1000 hours. Thermophysical properties of the salt mixtures, such as thermal stability and heat capacity, were measured before and after corrosion tests. Chemical composition of the salts was also determined and an estimation of Chilean production costs is reported. Results showed that purity, thermal stability and heat capacity of the salts were reduced, caused by partial therm...