Compatibility of 3D-Printed Oxide Ceramics with Molten Chloride Salts for High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage in Next-Generation CSP Plants

Wenjin Ding, Yuan Shi, Markus Braun, Fiona Kessel, Martin Frieß, Alexander Bonk and Thomas Bauer
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Wenjin Ding: Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Yuan Shi: Institute of Structures and Design, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Markus Braun: Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Fiona Kessel: Institute of Structures and Design, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Martin Frieß: Institute of Structures and Design, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Alexander Bonk: Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Thomas Bauer: Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: Oxide ceramics could be attractive high-temperature construction materials for critical structural parts in high-temperature molten salt thermal energy storage systems due to their excellent corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. The 3D-printing technology allows the production of ceramic components with highly complex geometries, and therefore extends their applications. In this work, 3D-printed ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 ceramics were immersed in molten MgCl 2 /KCl/NaCl under argon or exposed in argon without molten chlorides at 700 °C for 600 h. Their material properties and microstructure were investigated through three-point-bend (3PB) testing and material analysis with SEM-EDX and XRD. The results show that the 3D-printed Al 2 O 3 maintained its mechanical property after exposure in the strongly corrosive molten chloride salt. The 3D-printed ZrO 2 had an enhanced 3PB strength after molten salt exposure, whereas no change was observed after exposure in argon at 700 °C. The material analysis shows that some of the ZrO 2 on the sample surface changed its crystal structure and shape (T→M phase transformation) after molten salt exposure, which could be the reason for the enhanced 3PB strength. The thermodynamic calculation shows that the T→M transformation could be caused by the reaction of the Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2 with MgCl 2 (mainly Y 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 with gaseous MgCl 2 ). In conclusion, the 3D-printed ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 ceramics have excellent compatibility with corrosive molten chlorides at high temperatures and thus show a sound application potential as construction materials for molten chlorides.

Keywords: concentrated solar power (CSP); 3D-printed ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 ceramics; three-point-bend strength (3PB strength); corrosion resistance; molten salt (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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