STAGES DEVELOPMENT

TRL1 - TRL3
Development of First Designs

GALLERY

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL1 - TRL3
Development of First Designs

Laboratory tests of four molten salts (Binary; Hitec, Hitec XL and ternary lithium) as HTF were performed. Finally, Hitec ternary salts (53%KNO3+ 40%NaNO2 +7%NaNO3) were selected and characterised. Also, the necessary thermodynamic and hydraulic balances were developed for a complete definition of the loop’s parameters and simulation of the results. Different prototype configurations of the loop prototype and of its components were studied:

Hybridization system: First designs of a hybrid system with biomass energy.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL3 - TRL4
Proof of Concept Validation

GALLERY

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL3 - TRL4
Proof of Concept Validation

Main components of the MSLOOP loop were validated separately in relevant environment:  Collector: Optical and thermal characterization of parabolic trough solar receiver’s tests were done obtaining that the interception factor is 95.2%:

Receiver tubes: A new coating for tubes specially designed for molten salts was tested.

Thermal characterization tests in receiver tubes were developed measuring mean spectral reflectance and transmittance values. First prototypes were constructed and validated in the laboratory. Two different valve stem packing positions were tested in order to validate material resistance.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL4 - TRL5
First Prototype Installation

GALLERY

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL4 - TRL5
First Prototype Installation.

A two collector 500 m parabolic prototype with 2 thermal storage tanks and air-cooled system was constructed. Besides, HYSOL prototype was constructed.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL5 - TRL6
Test on Relevant Enviroment

GALLERY

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL5 - TRL6
Test on Relevant Enviroment

Both the loop prototype and HYSOL were working under different scenarios of operation.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL6 - TRL7
System Prototype Demonstration
in Operational Environment.

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL6 - TRL7
System Prototype Demonstration in Operational Environment.

The results obtained in the frame of WP2 corresponds to the phase TRL6>TRL7 , i.e improvement and validation of the commercial ternary molten salt, adjustment of the collector and tubes  and the implantation of a more suitable and cost-effective auxiliary heating system. Furthermore, TRL7 will be reached by optimizing the plant cycle and the operational modes.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL7 - TRL8
System Complete and Qualified

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL7 - TRL8
System Complete and Qualified.

The technology readiness Level 8 (TRL7>TRL8) will be reached by integrating, testing and validating the new systems in real generation conditions. Furthermore, the certification and homologation of the molten salt loop in real conditions will be obtained andwill validate the designed performance of the system.

Developed by:

cobra_375

TRL9 - TRL10
Actual System Proven

STAGE DESCRIPTION

TRL9 - TRL10
Actual System Proven.

In the end the final prototype will be scaled up to a commercial scale, carrying out real-life simulations and in-depth analyzing both the feasibility at commercial scale, the cost and benefits and the market competition. In addition to commercial strategies, a business model and exploitation actions will be developed. These final actions will bring the technology up to TRL 9 (TRL8>TRL9).

Developed by:

cobra_375

Project Leader

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