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Experimental Testing Results on Critical Components for Molten Salt-Based CSP Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Valeria Russo

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Petroni

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesco Rovense

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Mauro Giorgetti

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Napoli

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Gianremo Giorgi

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Walter Gaggioli

    (ENEA—Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Via Anguillarese, 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) represent a promising renewable energy source for generating heat and power. Binary molten salt mixtures, commonly referred to as Solar Salts, are utilized as effective heat transfer fluids and storage media due to their thermal stability and favorable thermophysical properties. However, these mixtures pose significant challenges due to their high solidification temperatures, around 240 °C, which can compromise the longevity and reliability of critical system components such as pressure sensors and bellows seal globe valves. Thus, it is essential to characterize their performance, assess their reliability under various conditions, and understand their failure mechanisms, particularly in relation to temperature fluctuations affecting the fluid’s viscosity. This article discusses experimental tests conducted on a pressure sensor and a bellows seal globe valve, both designed for direct contact with molten salts in CSP environments, at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center laboratory in Rome. The methodology for conducting these experimental tests is detailed, and guidelines are outlined to optimize plant operation. The findings provide essential insights for improving component design and maintenance to minimize unplanned plant downtime. They also offer methodologies for installing measurement instruments and electrical heating systems on the components.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Russo & Giuseppe Petroni & Francesco Rovense & Mauro Giorgetti & Giuseppe Napoli & Gianremo Giorgi & Walter Gaggioli, 2025. "Experimental Testing Results on Critical Components for Molten Salt-Based CSP Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:1:p:198-:d:1560559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marc Majó & Adela Svobodova-Sedlackova & Ana Inés Fernández & Alejandro Calderón & Camila Barreneche, 2024. "Thermal Cycling Test of Solar Salt in Contact with Sustainable Solid Particles for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-9, May.
    2. Georgios E. Arnaoutakis & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis, 2021. "Concentrating Solar Power Advances in Geometric Optics, Materials and System Integration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Adrián Caraballo & Santos Galán-Casado & Ángel Caballero & Sara Serena, 2021. "Molten Salts for Sensible Thermal Energy Storage: A Review and an Energy Performance Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Gutiérrez-Alvarez, R. & Guerra, K. & Haro, P., 2023. "Market profitability of CSP-biomass hybrid power plants: Towards a firm supply of renewable energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    5. Na Li & Yang Wang & Qi Liu & Hao Peng, 2022. "Evaluation of Thermal-Physical Properties of Novel Multicomponent Molten Nitrate Salts for Heat Transfer and Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Guccione, Salvatore & Guedez, Rafael, 2023. "Techno-economic optimization of molten salt based CSP plants through integration of supercritical CO2 cycles and hybridization with PV and electric heaters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    7. Walczak, Magdalena & Pineda, Fabiola & Fernández, Ángel G. & Mata-Torres, Carlos & Escobar, Rodrigo A., 2018. "Materials corrosion for thermal energy storage systems in concentrated solar power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 22-44.
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    1. Roberto Grena & Mattia Cagnoli & Roberto Zanino & Michela Lanchi, 2025. "Overcoming Power Limitations of Electric Heating in a Solar Salt Thermal Storage by Microwave Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-21, April.

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