Testing of the molten salt electric experiment solar central receiver in an external configuration

ABSTRACT:
The cavity surrounding the Molten Salt Electric Experiment (MSEE) solar central receiver was removed and the receiver was tested in an external configuration to compare external and cavity performance. The thermal efficiency of the external receiver was slightly less than that of the

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cavity receiver. However, operationally, the external receiver was easier to start up. Convective losses were measured from the external receiver and compared to analytical correlations. Measured convective losses were found to be 10% to 100% lower than predictions, most likely due to correction factors used in the predictions to account for surface roughness and wind direction. Four demonstration tests were performed on the external receiver. A high flux test exposed the receiver to flux levels of 1MW/m2. The receiver was successfully filled in a serpentine rather than the customary flood pattern; and in another test the receiver was filled at temperatures below the freezing point of salt (470 F). In the final demonstration test, hot salt was used to keep the receiver warm overnight to allow sunrise start up. Receiver thermal losses ‘overnight exceeded energy saved by reduced parasitics and energy collected from the sunrise start up, making overnight conditioning uneconomical for this receiver.

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