Abstract
Thermal energy storage systems work in conjunction with solar technologies with the aim of increasing their dispatchability and competitiveness in the energy market. Among others, latent heat thermal energy storage systems have become an appealing research subject and many efforts have therefore been invested in selecting the best phase change material (PCM) to fit the final application. In this study, an extended corrosion characterization was performed for two PCM candidates, solar salt (40 wt.% KNO3/60 wt.% NaNO3) and myo-inositol (C6H12O6), to be applied in Fresnel solar plants. Corrosion rates were determined in aluminium, stainless steel (AISI 304), carbon steel (AISI 1090), and copper by gravimetric tests, gauging the weight loss after 2000 h of immersion at 250 °C. The corrosion products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion tests carried out with myo-inositol did not show accurate enough results to draw conclusions regarding corrosion on the metals. However, it was observed that this sugar alcohol strongly sticks to the metal specimens, making myo-inositol extremely difficult to manage as an energy storage material. Therefore, the present paper discourages the use of myo-inositol as a PCM beyond its corrosion rate.
Highlights
According to the Global Risks Report 2018, failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation is among the top five global risks [1]
KNO3 /60 wt.% NaNO3 ) and myo-inositol (C6 H12 O6 ), with the aim of using those as phase change material (PCM) to be applied as thermal energy storage materials in linear Fresnel concentrated solar power (CSP) plants
The study comprised of assays with aluminium, stainless steel (AISI 304), carbon steel (AISI 1090), and copper
Summary
According to the Global Risks Report 2018, failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation is among the top five global risks [1]. Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by producing decarbonized energy is one of the European Union’s main objectives. Solar energy has developed considerably to tackle the greenhouse effect. By 2030, concentrated solar thermal energy, has been called upon to supply up to 7% of the world’s energy demands. One of the main concerns regarding solar thermal technologies is the need to improve their competitiveness towards conventional power plants. To achieve that goal, reducing their levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and enhancing their dispatchability are issues to be addressed, and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are the most feasible option to provide power to the grid according to energy demands [3]
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