Novel Ionic Liquid Thermal Storage for Solar Thermal Electric Power Systems

Author(s):  
Banqiu Wu ◽  
Ramana G. Reddy ◽  
Robin D. Rogers

Abstract Feasibility of ionic liquids as liquid thermal storage media and heat transfer fluids in a solar thermal power plant was investigated. Many ionic liquids such as [C4min][PF6], [C8mim][PF6], [C4min][bistrifluromethane sulflonimide], [C4min][BF4], [C8mim][BF4], and [C4min][bistrifluromethane sulflonimide] were synthesized and characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), viscometry, and some other methods. Properties such as decomposition temperature, melting point, viscosity, density, heat capacity, and thermal expansion coefficient were measured. The calculated storage density for [C8mim][PF6] is 378 MJ/m3 when the inlet and outlet field temperatures are 210°C and 390°C. For a single ionic liquid, [C4mim][BF4], the liquid temperature range is from −75°C to 459°C. It is found that ionic liquids have advantages of high density, wide liquid temperature range, low viscosity, high chemical stability, non-volatility, high heat capacity, and high storage density. Based on our experimental results, it is concluded that ionic liquids could be excellent liquid thermal storage media and heat transfer fluids in solar thermal power plant.

2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 63-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Wu ◽  
Shi Liu

Solar thermal power generation technology is the most feasible technology to compete with fossil fuels in the economy, and is considered to be one of the most promising candidates for providing a major share of the clean and renewable energy needed in the future. The appropriate heat transfer fluid and storage medium is a key technological issue for the future success of solar thermal technologies. Molten salt is one of the best heat transfer and thermal storage fluid for both parabolic trough and tower solar thermal power system. It is very important that molten salt heat transfer mechanisms are understood and can be predicted with accuracy. But studies on molten salts heat transfer are rare. This study will lay a foundation for the application of carbon nanotubes in molten salt which can remarkably improve the stability and capacity of thermal storage. Thermal analysis methods and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are utilized to provide a review of thermophysical properties and thermochemical characteristics of the MWCNTs-salt composite materials.


2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ignacio Ortega ◽  
J. Ignacio Burgaleta ◽  
Félix M. Téllez

Of all the technologies being developed for solar thermal power generation, central receiver systems (CRSs) are able to work at the highest temperatures and to achieve higher efficiencies in electricity production. The combination of this concept and the choice of molten salts as the heat transfer fluid, in both the receiver and heat storage, enables solar collection to be decoupled from electricity generation better than water∕steam systems, yielding high capacity factors with solar-only or low hybridization ratios. These advantages, along with the benefits of Spanish legislation on solar energy, moved SENER to promote the 17MWe Solar TRES plant. It will be the first commercial CRS plant with molten-salt storage and will help consolidate this technology for future higher-capacity plants. This paper describes the basic concept developed in this demonstration project, reviewing the experience accumulated in the previous Solar TWO project, and present design innovations, as a consequence of the development work performed by SENER and CIEMAT and of the technical conditions imposed by Spanish legislation on solar thermal power generation.


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