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DOE OSTI · 1754990

Erosion Experimentation in Solar Power Systems

Fong, Tessa Mei-lin
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Abstract

An alternate and sustainable form of energy is concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, which capture and store the sun’s energy in the form of heat. To increase the efficiency and overall cost of the plant, particles were used as a heat transfer medium. As particles flow through this system, the movement of particles creates erosion, in the forms of abrasion and attrition. Experiments were tested at room temperature and 800 degrees Celsius for both abrasion wear and attrition erosion. In abrasion wear, specimens were placed inside a container, particles were added, and the specimen rotated in and out of the particles. In attrition erosion, a steel disk rotated amongst particles which resulted in particles rubbing against each other. Abrasion wear increased when temperature increased while attrition showed that the particles broke down as the amount of time increased. For attrition at 800 degrees Celsius, oxide was increased and mixed with the particles. Durability models will be created to predict attrition and abrasion based on the particle and specimen mechanical properties. This discovery shows that this method of utilizing particles for CSP plants would improve efficiency and decrease overall costs.

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14 SOLAR ENERGY25 ENERGY STORAGEattrition, high temperature, abrasion, concentrated solar power, solar energy, heat storage, particles

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Fong, Tessa Mei-lin. 2020-12-08. Erosion Experimentation in Solar Power Systems. https://doi.org/10.2172/1754990

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