K.B. Han, E. Jeon
Advanced Materials Scientia, WA
The innovative Gen3 Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies aim to deliver heat to a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2)-based turbine at temperatures of 700°C or above. The Gen3 CSP program has identified several potential heat transfer media (HTM) that could meet SETO’s target electricity cost of $0.05/kWh. The program classified heat transfer media (HTM) based on their phase—gas, liquid, or solid particles. Sand-like particles may lower the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for several reasons: broad temperature range stability, reduced pressure-related constraints, reduced corrosion risks, and particle self-insulating phenomena that minimize thermal losses. However, current challenges include operability limitations, particle degradation at high temperatures, and general particle transport and mass flow control challenges. Despite their high solar absorptivity, Ceramic proppants pose cost challenges for achieving a lower LCOE. We have developed low-cost particles exhibiting high solar absorptivity and durability, potentially significantly reducing the LCOE to the $0.05/kWh target.