A comprehensive parametric study on integrated thermal and mechanical performances of molten-salt-based thermocline tank

The numerical model of a molten-salt-based thermocline tank with multi-layer wall structure is established. A comprehensive parametric study on integrated thermal and mechanical performances of the tank is conducted by using the CFD approach. The effects of eight factors are investigated. For all factors, complete operation cycle simulations of the tank as well as mechanical calculations are launched. The effect laws are revealed and briefly summarized. The results indicate that the inlet molten salt velocity, cold molten salt temperature, porosity of porous bed, diameter, thermal conductivity and specific heat of solid filler particle all have relatively obvious impacts on the discharging performance of the tank. The thermocline thickness during the discharging process can be decreased by increasing the inlet molten salt velocity, cold molten salt temperature or specific heat of filler particle, or by reducing the porosity of porous bed, diameter or thermal conductivity of solid filler particle. The maximum mechanical stress of the steel wall can be decreased by increasing the inlet molten salt velocity, cold molten salt temperature or firebrick thickness, or by decreasing the steel wall thickness, porosity of porous bed, diameter, thermal conductivity or specific heat of solid filler particle.