As part of the Power2Powder project, students Ellen Turås and Carolina Myrvoll from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, together with Quentin Lannoy, an intern from IMT Mines Albi, have been actively engaged in the experimental development and testing of a particle heat exchanger rig at KTH. This collaboration directly contributes to Work Package 2( WP2): Particle Behavior, Transport, and Handling, which investigates the behaviour of particle suspensions, material erosion, and transport mechanisms in hightemperature environments, as part of the broader development of particle-based Concentrated Solar Power( CSP) systems. At the KTH lab, the student team supported the setup and refinement of an experimental rig designed to test horizontal tubular heat exchangers. They applied |
Particle Image Velocimetry( PIV) techniques to analyse particle flow characteristics— a key step toward optimizing particle-based systems for scale-up to MW-level pilot plant operation. Ellen and Carolina, working through their KEX( bachelor thesis) project, contributed to both rig development and experimental procedures. Quentin focused on the software side, enhancing the reliability and integration of the PIV analysis tools. Their combined efforts helped to generate valuable experimental data and improve system performance. According to Dr. Taras Koturbash, researcher at KTH and supervisor in the P2P project, this collaboration highlights how combining local academic programs with international internships fosters technical innovation and enriches experimental research. |
Concentrating solar thermal power and nuclear industries may soon have a safe, reliable, radiation-free environment to test components in flowing, molten nitrate salts. The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office awarded USD 2.5M in funding to Sandia to restart the Molten Salt Test Loop facility at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility. With this funding, Sandia can complete the second phase of the Molten Salt Test Loop Restart project, reopening a test location for researchers and industry partners to study molten salt component systems and salt chemistry compositions. Once in operation, the Molten Salt Test Loop could perform industrial-scale validation and demonstration tests for the concentrating solar power and nuclear industries, contributing to ongoing research in these areas. The facility could also perform contingency scenarios such as rapid shutdown |
processes and safety procedures. These types of interactions are critical to improving industry safety by addressing accident scenarios such as heat exchanger failure. The facility could test high-temperature molten salt pumps, pressure transducers, flowmeters, valves, and heat exchangers. In addition to testing concentrating solar power molten salt test components and integrated systems, the facility supports a twopronged process for researching molten salt reactors. Through this process, fundamental science researchers could address thermodynamic challenges that exist with fluoride salts and perform scoping to determine which materials could be used to replace potentially problematic components. The Molten Salt Test Loop operates at temperatures of up to 600 degrees Celsius, as required for many industrial power and process heat systems. |
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Honeywell acquires Sundyne |