Publications Details
Evaluation of thermal cycling creep-fatigue damage for a molten salt receiver
A molten salt cavity receiver was solar tested at Sandia National Laboratories during a year-long test program. Upon completion of testing, an analysis was performed to determine the effect of thermal cycling on the receiver. The results indicate substantial fatigue damage accumulation for the receiver when the relatively short test time is considered. This paper describes the methodology used to analyze the cycling, the results, and how they affect future receiver design. The test receiver was configured as a C-shaped cavity with eight multipass heat absorption panels. The tubes were Alloy 800. The heat exchange medium was a molten nitrate salt mixture (60% sodium nitrate, 40% potassium nitrate by weight). The operating temperature range was from 288°C to 566°C.