Publications Details
NSTTF Gen 3 Topic 1 CSP Liquid-Pathway to SunShot. Heat Trace Options Report
Armijo, Kenneth M.; Dorsey, Dwight S.
The primary objective of this report is to determine a viable pipe preheating system for a chloridesalt blend (40%MgCl2/20%NaCl/40%KCI) that can preheat the pipe to 450 °C and withstand a maximum exposure temperature of 740 °C. Preheating involves heating the pipe to a specific desired temperature, called preheat temperature, of the pipe. The temperature is maintained by heated molten salt flowing through the piping system. This report reviews 5-types of pipe preheating systems, of which three pipe preheating systems- MI cable, heat tape, and ceramic fiber heaters, were found to be viable for the Gen 3 Liquid Pathway application. The report reviews the pipe preheating efficiency of conduction verses radiant heat transfer. For each of the 5 types of pipe preheating systems, the report describes the system and addresses installation requirements, temperature control, reliability survey, and pre-construction verification testing for the most applicable preheating system. Under Appendix A, images from design drawings demonstrate pipe routing with the preheating system and insulation attached to the pipe along with pipe guides and pipe supports, as designed using Caesar II finite element analysis within the SNL NSTTF Solar Power Tower.