Hydrogen reduction in heat transfer fluid in parabolic trough CSP plants

Hydrogen (H2) has been found to be generated in very small proportions when diphenyl oxide/ biphenyl heat transfer fluid (HTF) is operated at temperatures close to 400°C. At such temperatures, H2 can permeate through steel walls to the vacuum space of parabolic trough (PT) solar receivers, where it increases heat losses that can significantly impact the economics of PT concentrated solar power plants. A novel process for the reduction of the H2 concentration in HTF via stripping and gas separation has been simulated for the operation in PT CSP plants. Applying the proposed process, the concentration of H2 in HTF can be reduced down to 1 ppb. A cost comparison between the H2 separation process and frequent PT receivers replacement was conducted and found that proposed H2 removal process is more economic.