Joe Shinners M.S. Graduate Student Mechanical Engineering Office: 1337 ERB Hometown: Raleigh, NC Thesis: Modeling and Validation of Dual Loop Design for Solar Parabolic Trough

Background The efficiencies of concentrating solar power plants are restricted due to the temperature limit of the organic heat transfer fluid Organic heat transfer fluids begin to break down at 400°C A potential solution to give greater efficiency is to add a second loop with a molten salt (ex. 60% NaNO 3 /40% KNO 3 ), which can be heated to a higher temperature. Issues with using any molten salt includes freezing at temperatures around 220°C and pipe corrosion

Schematic Schematic from Christoph Lang and John Cuthbert

Goals and Objectives Assess the validity of Dual Loop parabolic trough design in comparison with the standard parabolic trough design through the creation of a comprehensive model. Compare the land area required for both systems. Identify potential issues with use of molten salt as a heat transfer fluid. Identify any other potential efficiency gains in the system.