Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants

To conduct the thermal transport characteristics and operational stability of the steam generation system (SGS) under partial load conditions in concentrating solar power (CSP), a real-scale shell-and-tube steam generator hydrodynamics predictive model is developed. This model integrates lumped para...

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Main Authors: Jiaming Tian, Bo Ren, Yiran Duan, Biao Li, Yueshe Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006008
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author Jiaming Tian
Bo Ren
Yiran Duan
Biao Li
Yueshe Wang
author_facet Jiaming Tian
Bo Ren
Yiran Duan
Biao Li
Yueshe Wang
author_sort Jiaming Tian
collection DOAJ
description To conduct the thermal transport characteristics and operational stability of the steam generation system (SGS) under partial load conditions in concentrating solar power (CSP), a real-scale shell-and-tube steam generator hydrodynamics predictive model is developed. This model integrates lumped parameter methods with the finite volume method to account for heat transfer and phase change. Additionally, in accordance with the prevailing water circulation mode in the CSP plant, a typical model of the natural circulation system is established, while optimal stable operating points of the maximum circulation mass flow rate under varying operating conditions are determined. The results indicate that the inherent stability of the generator strongly lies in the dynamic compromise between its thermodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics. Under high load conditions, the natural circulation mode demonstrates excellent flow stability. Operating at lower operating pressures results in greater circulation flow and a heightened sensitivity to phase changes. Under system pressures of 13.76, 11.08, 8.39, and 6.71 MPa, the recommended circulation ratios are determined to be 5.38, 7.86, 11.95, and 16.07, respectively. Furthermore, the stability of the circulation curve is optimized by adjusting the structural dimensions of the steam generator. The sensitivity to evaporation capacity and heat exchanger effectiveness is assessed.
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publisher Elsevier
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series Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
spelling doaj-art-72d14d46ac3f4cd0835d91f1b94e27e52025-08-20T01:55:21ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-08-017210634010.1016/j.csite.2025.106340Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plantsJiaming Tian0Bo Ren1Yiran Duan2Biao Li3Yueshe Wang4State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, ChinaCorresponding author.; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, ChinaTo conduct the thermal transport characteristics and operational stability of the steam generation system (SGS) under partial load conditions in concentrating solar power (CSP), a real-scale shell-and-tube steam generator hydrodynamics predictive model is developed. This model integrates lumped parameter methods with the finite volume method to account for heat transfer and phase change. Additionally, in accordance with the prevailing water circulation mode in the CSP plant, a typical model of the natural circulation system is established, while optimal stable operating points of the maximum circulation mass flow rate under varying operating conditions are determined. The results indicate that the inherent stability of the generator strongly lies in the dynamic compromise between its thermodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics. Under high load conditions, the natural circulation mode demonstrates excellent flow stability. Operating at lower operating pressures results in greater circulation flow and a heightened sensitivity to phase changes. Under system pressures of 13.76, 11.08, 8.39, and 6.71 MPa, the recommended circulation ratios are determined to be 5.38, 7.86, 11.95, and 16.07, respectively. Furthermore, the stability of the circulation curve is optimized by adjusting the structural dimensions of the steam generator. The sensitivity to evaporation capacity and heat exchanger effectiveness is assessed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006008Molten salt storageSteam generatorNatural circulation modeConcentrating solar power
spellingShingle Jiaming Tian
Bo Ren
Yiran Duan
Biao Li
Yueshe Wang
Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
Molten salt storage
Steam generator
Natural circulation mode
Concentrating solar power
title Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
title_full Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
title_fullStr Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
title_full_unstemmed Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
title_short Thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
title_sort thermal and hydraulic performance of molten salt steam generation system under varying operating conditions in concentrating solar power plants
topic Molten salt storage
Steam generator
Natural circulation mode
Concentrating solar power
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006008
work_keys_str_mv AT jiamingtian thermalandhydraulicperformanceofmoltensaltsteamgenerationsystemundervaryingoperatingconditionsinconcentratingsolarpowerplants
AT boren thermalandhydraulicperformanceofmoltensaltsteamgenerationsystemundervaryingoperatingconditionsinconcentratingsolarpowerplants
AT yiranduan thermalandhydraulicperformanceofmoltensaltsteamgenerationsystemundervaryingoperatingconditionsinconcentratingsolarpowerplants
AT biaoli thermalandhydraulicperformanceofmoltensaltsteamgenerationsystemundervaryingoperatingconditionsinconcentratingsolarpowerplants
AT yueshewang thermalandhydraulicperformanceofmoltensaltsteamgenerationsystemundervaryingoperatingconditionsinconcentratingsolarpowerplants