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Electronic Resource
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SAND Report: SAND80-8175, December 1979.
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Library's review
ABSTRACT:
Studies prior to this one have indicated that internally insulated molten salt storage tanks are more cost effective than externally insulated tanks for high-temperature applications. The internal insulation can either be wet with the molten salt or kept dry by using a sealed liner. Martin
Studies prior to this one have indicated that internally insulated molten salt storage tanks are more cost effective than externally insulated tanks for high-temperature applications. The internal insulation can either be wet with the molten salt or kept dry by using a sealed liner. Martin
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Marietta's Advanced CentraZ Receiver Power System~ Phase I final report (EG-77-C-03-l724) described a molten salt thermal storage system using wet internal insulation. This system has an estimated cost of storage of $8.20/kWhe. Another concept, offered as an alternative to the recommended system, used externally insulated stainless steel tanks and employed no new technology. Its cost of storage is $19.40/kWhe. The biggest cost savings associated with internally insulated tanks is that they do not have to be constructed of stainless steel. Placing insulation on the inside of the tanks can reduce the temperature of the tank shell and permit the use of carbon steel. Since steel is stronger at lower temperatures, the tank walls can be thinner, eliminating postweld heat treatment. In a thermocline or cascade storage tank where the tank shell temperature is cycled daily, internal insulation also reduces the temperature excursions of the shell reducing the stress and fatiguing of the tank structure. The purpose of this program was to define a cost effective thermal storage system for a solar central receiver power system using molten salt stored in internally insulated carbon steel tanks. The program was divided into six tasks--testing of internal insulation materials in molten salt; preliminary design of storage tanks, including insulation and liner installation; thermal analysis of internally insulated thermocline tanks; optimization of the storage configuration; and definition of a subsystem research experiment to demonstrate the system. The sixth task, a safety study, is a document separate from this report that addresses the safety considerations of using molten salt. It is being evaluated by two utility companies and will include their responses when published. Show Less