Molten salts evaluation for application in the fusion power plant's intermediate heat transfer system

Abstract

One of the challenges of fusion power plants' integration into the power grid is the pulse operation of the first fusion power reactors, which poses critical requirements for construction materials, power conversion systems, and energy storage systems. There are different ways and approaches which aim to solve this pulse operation issue. Among the many proposed solutions is an intermediate heat transfer system with molten salts acting as energy storage and pulse balancing technology.This article aims to evaluate different molten salts, their advantages, disadvantages, the possibility for application, and costs for the intermediate heat transfer system with two tanks design. The properties such as boiling and freezing temperature, heat capacity, density, and more are compared for various salts. The cost of the energy storage systems with chosen salts and two tanks is estimated.