Thermal performance assessment and optimization simulation of large-scale molten salt storage tanks and foundation

This study uses ANSYS to model large-scale molten salt storage tanks and their foundation for concentrated solar power plants, investigating their thermal performance under various conditions. The impacts of factors like ambient temperature, insulation thickness, expanded clay aggregate thickness, and ventilation systems on temperature distribution and heat loss are analyzed. Results show that the heat losses for the hot and cold tanks are 266.89 kW and 206.40 kW, with temperature drops of 0.79 °C and 0.63 °C after 24 h. A decrease in ambient temperature increases cold tank heat loss by 32.58 %, making it more sensitive to temperature changes. While increasing insulation thickness reduces heat flux, the benefits diminish beyond optimal thicknesses of 300 mm for the cold tank and 550 mm for the hot tank. Expanded clay aggregate effectively reduces heat transfer through the foundation, with thickness changes significantly affecting temperature fluctuations. The spacing of ventilation ducts also plays a crucial role in heat dissipation, and optimizing airflow and spacing improves foundation thermal control. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the thermal performance of molten salt storage tanks, advancing energy storage system design and application. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd