Influence estimate of liquid lead–bismuth eutectic temperatures on operation and mechanical behaviors of sensible heat storage tank

Abstract Thermocline sensible heat storage (SHS) systems are usually utilized in parabolic trough solar power systems. Liquid lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) is a potential heat transfer medium for SHS systems, but its influences on the performances of SHS systems are rarely studied. In this study, a simulation model of thermocline SHS tank using liquid LBE as the heat transfer fluid is established, and the influences of initial cold and hot LBE temperatures on the operation and mechanical performances of the tank are estimated. The results reveal that when the liquid LBE is used as the heat transfer fluid, the SHS tank can operate stably. The initial cold LEB temperature has almost no influence on both the total heat storage and heat release durations of the tank, while the initial hot LBE temperature has proportional relationships with the total heat storage and heat release durations. The heat storage performance as well as the heat release behavior of the tank can be improved by increasing the initial cold LBE temperature, or by decreasing the initial hot LBE temperature. The peak maximum mechanical stress of the tank can be decreased by increasing the initial cold LBE temperature, or by decreasing the initial hot LBE temperature.