Development and Full Load Demonstration of a 900°C Solid Particle Receiver for Concentrating Solar Power Applications – noLimits

Summary

The "noLimits" project, a collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), aimed to demonstrate a high-temperature solid particle receiver for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) applications. The goal was to test DLR's CentRec® receiver at SNL's National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) at a full load thermal power of 2.5 MWth and particle outlet temperatures of 900 °C-1000 °C for 15 test days. However, the project was ultimately abandoned due to significant damage found in the CentRec500 and CentRec300S receiver units, unexpected cost overruns for structural modifications at the NSTTF (quoted at $1,168,795), and the withdrawal of the commercial partner, Heliogen. Despite some components like a 2.5 MWth particle cooler ($420,000) and a 125 HP blower being procured, the core testing objectives were not achieved, and the project concluded with close-out activities by mid-2023.

Key Facts

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