High-temperature molten salt pumps are specialized pieces of rotating equipment designed to handle complex fluids at temperatures typically ranging from 250°C to 600°C. As industries globally accelerate the energy transition, these pumps have become indispensable components in several critical sectors.
The most prominent application for molten salt pumps is in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. In these facilities, thousands of mirrors (heliostats) concentrate sunlight onto a receiver. Molten salt pumps circulate the heat transfer fluid-the molten salt-from a "cold" tank (around 290°C) to the solar receiver, where it is heated to approximately 565°C and stored in a "hot" tank . When electricity is needed, the hot salt is pumped through a heat exchanger to generate steam that drives a turbine. This thermal energy storage capability allows CSP plants to generate power long after sunset, effectively acting as a giant thermal battery.
Beyond solar power, these pumps are gaining traction in the industrial energy storage sector. New applications involve using molten hydroxide salts to store excess renewable energy, which can then be discharged to produce process steam for industries like food processing and chemical manufacturing, aiding in decarbonization efforts.
Furthermore, the chemical industry utilizes high-temperature molten salt pumps in processes requiring precise heating, utilizing salts composed of nitrates and nitrites as a stable heat transfer medium. Given the extreme operating conditions, these pumps are typically vertical, line-shaft designs with advanced hydraulics to manage high heads (up to 350 m) and ensure long-term reliability .
