Concentrated solar power plants using Outokumpu stainless
“Outokumpu is a leading supplier of stainless within the solar power and sustainable energy segments. Not only based on our portfolio, but also in the service life of our products, the ease of cutting and welding our stainless, and our technical support,” emphasizes Jim Augustsson, Business Development for Outokumpu’s quarto plate business area.
“Our leading position in this segment is based both on our excellent R&D resources as well as a committed team effort from our Spanish colleagues, as Spain has been the initial innovation center for commercial concentrated solar power (CSP) plants,” he adds. In his presentation at the Outokumpu Experience 2015 in Berlin, he highlighted several concentrated solar power plants that are using Outokumpu stainless for various applications.
CSP plants feature a power tower, as tall as 160 meters, surrounded by tens of thousands of rotating mirror panels. The concentrated rays of the sun are directed to the top of the tower off the mirrors. Molten salt at the top of the tower is heated up by the concentrated energy and used to produce steam that generates energy that is dispatched to the energy grid. CSPs are logical applications of stainless steel in various forms and grades for structurals and in areas where corrosion resistance is key. “The combination of molten salt, which is corrosive, along with high operating temperatures necessitates high performance materials for 25-30 years of operation. Outokumpu stainless meets those requirements,” assures Augustsson.
Stainless to match the operating conditions…
Augustsson cites the use of Outokumpu Forta LDX 2101 stainless bar in the Heliostat Zenithal anchor bolt at the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy plant in Tonopah, Nevada (USA). The stainless anchor bolts are part of the structural support and rotating mechanism for each mirror. As the sun rotates, so do the mirrors, to optimize the reflective time at the plant. “A lot of CSP plants are located in high sun-intensive regions, like the desert, where sand is also prevalent. In addition, there can be condensation at night when the temperature drops. Condensation is a strong contributor to corrosion,” notes Augustsson. As a result, the anchor bolts must withstand not just ambient temperatures, but also offer long term mechanical, corrosion, and abrasion resistance.
...to ensure continuous production even at night
Another application for stainless steel in CSP plants is in the storage tanks for the molten salt. The Gemasolar Concentrating Solar Power Plant in Fuentes de Andalucia, Spain features more than 160 metric tonnes of Outokumpu Therma 347H/4912 quarto plate. These tanks contain the heated salt that holds the energy that is converted to electricity. This clever design allows for the production of energy even at night or on cloudy days.
“The tanks are continuously exposed to molten salt and temperatures as high as 500-600 °C, requiring both long term corrosion and creep resistance, along with long term structural support. Today Outokumpu Therma 347H is the preferred grade for stainless used in tanks at many CSP plants,” says Augustsson. Therma 347H/4912 is also specified for the heat exchangers within the steam generation area of the CSP. The water handling system and fittings and flanges throughout CSP plants are other areas in which stainless can be effective.
Finally, Augustsson highlights that Outokumpu stainless contains 85% recycled content, compared to the industry average of 50%, and is 100% recyclable. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that the sun is the essence of sustainable energy. And this goes hand-in-hand with Outokumpu’s mission as a sustainable company and supplier of sustainable products,” concludes Jim Augustsson.
CSP plants feature a power tower, as tall as 160 meters, surrounded by tens of thousands of rotating mirror panels. The concentrated rays of the sun are directed to the top of the tower off the mirrors. Molten salt at the top of the tower is heated up by the concentrated energy and used to produce steam that generates energy that is dispatched to the energy grid. CSPs are logical applications of stainless steel in various forms and grades for structurals and in areas where corrosion resistance is key. “The combination of molten salt, which is corrosive, along with high operating temperatures necessitates high performance materials for 25-30 years of operation. Outokumpu stainless meets those requirements,” assures Augustsson.
Stainless to match the operating conditions…
Augustsson cites the use of Outokumpu Forta LDX 2101 stainless bar in the Heliostat Zenithal anchor bolt at the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy plant in Tonopah, Nevada (USA). The stainless anchor bolts are part of the structural support and rotating mechanism for each mirror. As the sun rotates, so do the mirrors, to optimize the reflective time at the plant. “A lot of CSP plants are located in high sun-intensive regions, like the desert, where sand is also prevalent. In addition, there can be condensation at night when the temperature drops. Condensation is a strong contributor to corrosion,” notes Augustsson. As a result, the anchor bolts must withstand not just ambient temperatures, but also offer long term mechanical, corrosion, and abrasion resistance.
...to ensure continuous production even at night
Another application for stainless steel in CSP plants is in the storage tanks for the molten salt. The Gemasolar Concentrating Solar Power Plant in Fuentes de Andalucia, Spain features more than 160 metric tonnes of Outokumpu Therma 347H/4912 quarto plate. These tanks contain the heated salt that holds the energy that is converted to electricity. This clever design allows for the production of energy even at night or on cloudy days.
“The tanks are continuously exposed to molten salt and temperatures as high as 500-600 °C, requiring both long term corrosion and creep resistance, along with long term structural support. Today Outokumpu Therma 347H is the preferred grade for stainless used in tanks at many CSP plants,” says Augustsson. Therma 347H/4912 is also specified for the heat exchangers within the steam generation area of the CSP. The water handling system and fittings and flanges throughout CSP plants are other areas in which stainless can be effective.
Finally, Augustsson highlights that Outokumpu stainless contains 85% recycled content, compared to the industry average of 50%, and is 100% recyclable. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that the sun is the essence of sustainable energy. And this goes hand-in-hand with Outokumpu’s mission as a sustainable company and supplier of sustainable products,” concludes Jim Augustsson.
Pubblicato ago 27, 2015