A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants

Concentrating solar power (CSP) tower plants using molten salt as the heat transfer fluid are currently the predominant technology used globally, and have experienced rapid development in recent years. The molten salt receiver, as the core piece of equipment for converting solar energy into thermal...

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Main Authors: Xinyi Li, Fengwu Bai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/292
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author Xinyi Li
Fengwu Bai
author_facet Xinyi Li
Fengwu Bai
author_sort Xinyi Li
collection DOAJ
description Concentrating solar power (CSP) tower plants using molten salt as the heat transfer fluid are currently the predominant technology used globally, and have experienced rapid development in recent years. The molten salt receiver, as the core piece of equipment for converting solar energy into thermal energy, directly determines the system efficiency, while its safety affects the plant’s operating hours. This paper reviews the details and operational status of commercial-scale CSP tower plants worldwide as of the end of 2023. It systematically summarizes the typical thermal models for mainstream tubular molten salt receivers by reviewing 37 models, including 11 three-dimensional (3D) numerical models, 8 two-dimensional (2D) semi-empirical models, and 18 one-dimensional (1D) semi-empirical models. By comparing and analyzing the key features of each model, the study concludes that detailed 3D numerical models are effective for monitoring overheating during operation, 2D semi-empirical models enable the rapid evaluation of receiver configurations, and 1D semi-empirical models support transient mass flow calculations and annual power generation estimations. Additionally, the paper outlines the current applications of receiver thermal models in system integration, particularly in combining CSP tower systems with other energy systems.
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spelling doaj-art-18c25506864d4a97979428e8f17dc23c2025-01-24T13:30:55ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118229210.3390/en18020292A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower PlantsXinyi Li0Fengwu Bai1Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 6 Beiertiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, ChinaInstitute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 6 Beiertiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, ChinaConcentrating solar power (CSP) tower plants using molten salt as the heat transfer fluid are currently the predominant technology used globally, and have experienced rapid development in recent years. The molten salt receiver, as the core piece of equipment for converting solar energy into thermal energy, directly determines the system efficiency, while its safety affects the plant’s operating hours. This paper reviews the details and operational status of commercial-scale CSP tower plants worldwide as of the end of 2023. It systematically summarizes the typical thermal models for mainstream tubular molten salt receivers by reviewing 37 models, including 11 three-dimensional (3D) numerical models, 8 two-dimensional (2D) semi-empirical models, and 18 one-dimensional (1D) semi-empirical models. By comparing and analyzing the key features of each model, the study concludes that detailed 3D numerical models are effective for monitoring overheating during operation, 2D semi-empirical models enable the rapid evaluation of receiver configurations, and 1D semi-empirical models support transient mass flow calculations and annual power generation estimations. Additionally, the paper outlines the current applications of receiver thermal models in system integration, particularly in combining CSP tower systems with other energy systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/292concentrating solar power (CSP)solar power tower technologycommercial plantmolten salt receiverthermal analysis model
spellingShingle Xinyi Li
Fengwu Bai
A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
Energies
concentrating solar power (CSP)
solar power tower technology
commercial plant
molten salt receiver
thermal analysis model
title A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
title_full A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
title_fullStr A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
title_full_unstemmed A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
title_short A Review on the Thermal Modeling Method for Molten Salt Receivers of Concentrating Solar Power Tower Plants
title_sort review on the thermal modeling method for molten salt receivers of concentrating solar power tower plants
topic concentrating solar power (CSP)
solar power tower technology
commercial plant
molten salt receiver
thermal analysis model
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/292
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AT xinyili reviewonthethermalmodelingmethodformoltensaltreceiversofconcentratingsolarpowertowerplants
AT fengwubai reviewonthethermalmodelingmethodformoltensaltreceiversofconcentratingsolarpowertowerplants