Shandong Mengshun Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
What is the working principle of a molten salt storage tank?
Release date:
Oct 13,2025
Source:
A molten salt storage tank is a sealed container designed to store high-temperature liquid molten salt, typically consisting of a tank top, cylindrical body, and tank bottom, featuring a cylindrical arch roof design. It serves as the core equipment in molten salt energy storage systems.
A molten salt storage tank is a sealed container designed to store high-temperature liquid molten salts. Typically composed of a tank top, cylindrical body, and tank bottom, it features a cylindrical arch roof design and serves as the core equipment in molten salt energy storage systems. Its primary function is to store and release thermal energy by holding molten salts—such as a mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate—playing a critical role in applications like concentrated solar power generation, flexibility upgrades for fossil-fuel plants, and industrial waste heat recovery.
The molten salt storage tank consists of a sealed cylindrical dome-shaped vessel made up of a tank top, cylindrical shell, and tank bottom. Inside, it is equipped with an insulation layer (such as aluminum silicate fiber felt) and a bottom insulation foundation (including steel lining plates, fire-resistant bricks, and a composite layer of foam glass), designed to minimize heat loss and prevent the molten salt from solidifying. High-temperature molten salt tanks are constructed using corrosion- and high-temperature-resistant materials like 316L stainless steel, while low-temperature tanks are typically made from common steels such as Q345R.
How it works
Heat storage process: Molten salt is heated to high temperatures (e.g., 565°C) using an electric heater or solar collector, then stored in a thermal tank.
Exothermic process: High-temperature molten salt transfers heat to water or steam via a heat exchanger, generating steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity. The cooled molten salt then flows back into the cold storage tank.
System Circulation: Utilizing a dual-tank (cold tank + hot tank) or multi-tank design, the system achieves continuous operation by circulating molten salt—both cold and hot—via a molten salt pump.
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