Gather information on thermal energy storage operational challenges and specifications, define a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach, and select thermal energy storage fluids and structural components. The project will also develop a testing protocol to validate material properties in high-temperature environments, including screening tests and long-term tests.
Develop new thermal storage mediums by designing and optimizing setups and analysis methods for molten salt testing. This involves adapting existing autoclave systems to operate at higher temperatures and using sophisticated inert gas handling systems to mitigate salt contamination and oxidation. Additionally, improvements will be made to existing wet chemistry methods for post-analysis of salt to increase accuracy and reproducibility. The project will also investigate the use of new nano-fluids to enhance thermal storage medium properties, including the addition of nanoparticles to increase the specific heat and reduce the freezing point. The critical thermophysical properties of the molten salts will be measured with and without nanoparticles, and the most promising nano-fluids will be chosen for each salt.
Develop new alloys and coatings for use in molten salt mixtures at high temperatures, with a focus on corrosion resistance and durability. The project involves the development of new Ni-based alloys that show increased corrosion resistance, as well as the creation of corrosion-resistant coatings using various deposition techniques, including slurry-based diffusion aluminide coatings, ceramic-based coatings, electrodeposition, and sol-gel coatings. The project also aims to develop innovative sustainable HSA coatings that can withstand operating conditions up to 850°C, and to optimize the developed coatings to enhance their performance. Additionally, the project will investigate the capability of the coatings to be cured under solar operation conditions, which can save O&M costs.
Develop a comprehensive corrosion testing plan for novel molten salts, enhanced alloys, and coatings. Conduct high-temperature testing, environmental testing, and high-flux solar testing to assess the performance of absorber coatings. Develop an online corrosion monitoring system to prevent maintenance and predict corrosion rates. Implement cathodic protection systems to achieve near-zero corrosion rates in molten chlorides and carbonates.
Evaluate the safety impact of novel molten salts, enhanced alloys, and coatings. Analyze the techno-economic potential of new approaches. Conduct a life-cycle assessment and environmental impact evaluation. Perform a social lifecycle assessment to identify potential social and socio-economic impacts.
Develop a comprehensive digital marketing plan for HELIOTROPE, establish a strategic dissemination and exploitation strategy, foster collaboration with EU-level projects and initiatives, and offer expert feedback and recommendations to EU-level policymakers on policies and regulations supporting HELIOTROPE’s growth and adoption.