High Temperature Particle Erosion

Next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) facilities will need to operate at temperatures ~800 C. This will necessitate the use of novel heat transfer fluids. One approach is solid particles which have a distinct advantage over molten salt (which could solidify) but the durability of the particles and the containment materials is largely unknown, especially over the lifetime of the plant. In collaboration with the University of Tulsa, and Sandia National Lab we are developing experimental methods and models to predict component durability under relevant operating conditions.

Support

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under award number DE-EE00008370.