On the compatibility of liquid sodium as heat transfer fluid for advanced concentrated solar thermal energy systems

Madjid Sarvghad; Teng C. Ong; Stuart Bell; Raihan Rumman; Salar Delkasar Maher; Jack W. Woodcock; Geoffrey Will; Gunther Andersson; David A. Lewis; Theodore A. Steinberg

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111897

Back

On the compatibility of liquid sodium as heat transfer fluid for advanced concentrated solar thermal energy systems

Journal article

Peer reviewed

On the compatibility of liquid sodium as heat transfer fluid for advanced concentrated solar thermal energy systems

Madjid Sarvghad, Teng C. Ong, Stuart Bell, Raihan Rumman, Salar Delkasar Maher, Jack W. Woodcock, Geoffrey Will, Gunther Andersson, David A. Lewis and Theodore A. Steinberg

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol.246, pp.1-19

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111897

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111897View

Published Version

Abstract

sodium

heat transfer fluid

concentrated solar thermal

compatibility

The use of liquid sodium as a heat transfer fluid has shown great promise and application in nuclear power generation and it is now being utilized in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) applications, owing to its favorable thermodynamic properties. Its implementation, however, comes with a unique array of technical issues in CSP applications, primarily the incompatibility of structural materials with liquid sodium in these operational environments. In this review, major damage mechanisms will be discussed, with a focus on their relevance to advanced CSP plants. Such mechanisms include corrosion, liquid metal embrittlement, carburization/de-carburization, erosion, creep, and thermal fatigue. The degradation factors such as impurities in the sodium (e.g. oxygen) and the dissolution of the structural material's alloying elements (Cr, Mn, Ni and Si, etc.) are also discussed. This review presents a holistic overview of these inter-connected mechanisms, and most importantly explores potential solutions to mitigate these issues, including better structural material candidates, robust plant operational parameters/design, better service life predictions, and improved purification and monitoring methods for stringent control of impurities. The future directions of research are also discussed to ensure the successful use of liquid sodium in the next generation of CSP technology.

Details

Title: On the compatibility of liquid sodium as heat transfer fluid for advanced concentrated solar thermal energy systems
Authors: Madjid Sarvghad (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Teng C. Ong (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Stuart Bell (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Raihan Rumman (Author) - Flinders University
Salar Delkasar Maher (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Jack W. Woodcock (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Geoffrey Will (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Gunther Andersson (Author) - Flinders University
David A. Lewis (Author) - Flinders University
Theodore A. Steinberg (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol.246, pp.1-19
Publisher: Elsevier BV, North-Holland
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111897
ISSN: 1879-3398
Grant note: Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI)
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99737877102621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

11 Record Views

1 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Energy & Fuels; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Physics, Applied

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites