Trial Operation of the World's First Flue Gas Molten Salt Heat Storage Research Platform Completed

In April 2024, the world's first multi-functional flue gas molten salt thermal storage research platform jointly developed by Huairou Laboratory and Harbin Boiler Company carried out trial operation and completed some experiments. During the experiment process, the flue gas molten salt heat exchanger independently developed by the team operated normally, with the heat storage power and heat release power reaching the design values, and related temperature and flow resistance indicators meeting expectations.

Against the backdrop of China’s energy transition, the team has created an innovative flue gas molten salt thermal storage technology, overcoming the shortcomings of existing steam molten salt thermal storage technologies such as low thermal storage efficiency. This technology can be applied in new coal-fired power generation units, significantly increasing its flexibility, and enhancing the grid's ability to accommodate a high proportion of renewable energy sources. Aiming to reach frontier areas of technology, the team has developed an internationally leading new-generation technology for flue gas heating molten salt direct thermal storage, developed the 300kW flue gas molten salt heat exchanger, and improved the designs of the 350kW molten salt cooler and multifunctional salt storage tanks, etc., which have been installed on the flue gas molten salt thermal storage research platform and passed the test successfully.

This research platform is the world's first set of large-scale experimental facilities for flue gas molten salt heat storage. Its completion and operation will provide the team with high-precision, multi-condition experimental verification for making in-depth original theoretical researches and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies for key fields, firmly support demonstration projects, provide an experimental platform for China to cultivate research talents in the field of flue gas molten salt heat storage, and effectively advance the Huairou laboratory to reach a world-leading level in this field.