Selection of heat storage molten salt used in solar tower thermal plants

Abstract

The advantage of molten salt being as the heat storage material of solar thermal plant is clear. With the advantages of solar thermal plant system especially the tower system being more and more apparent, the improvement of molten salts’ working temperature has drawn more and more importance too. Molten salts already existing and being used are mainly nitrates, however their admitted working temperature limitations can’t gradually satisfy the promotion of collector’s working temperature. The conception and theory together with three forms in existence are introduced, with analyzing of current salts, the selecting method of salts in solar tower thermal plant system and cautions in experiment are discussed too.