Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-13-2023

Abstract

Energy efficiency and cost reduction can both be improved upon using overall higher temperatures for the working fluid. This interest is shared in both nuclear energy as well as concentrated solar power. To achieve higher temperatures would require industry to change working fluids. The United States Department of Energy set out a goal of operating concentrated solar to above 700℃. This would help reduce the cost by having more efficiency in the thermal energy storage, while not a concern for nuclear, these high temperatures can reduce the safety risk and pressure use with the implementation of molten salts. The National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Labs set out to solve this problem by using a ternary molten chloride salt system. Ternary molten chloride salts favor everything thermal hydraulically, they due pose a serious issue when it comes to high corrosive attack. Major loop components would be exposed to this environment like piping, valves, tanks, pumps, and heat exchangers. This study will go through a vi literature review of the best metal alloys for a molten chloride salt system, where four will be selected to perform further evaluation in an ideal environment with the correct ternary salt composition. This study will help determine the highest performing alloy for molten chloride salt systems from, Inconel 600, Inconel 617, Haynes 230, and Hastelloy C276.

Keywords

Molten salt, Haynes, Inconel

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Nuclear Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Nuclear Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Minghui Chen

Second Committee Member

Osman Anderoglu

Third Committee Member

Amir Ali

Fourth Committee Member

Kenneth Armijo

Fifth Committee Member

Neven Ali

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