Publications

Materials compatibility in Dish-Stirling solar generators using Cu-Si-Mg eutectic for latent heat storage

Kruizenga, Alan M.; Withey, Elizabeth A.; Andraka, Charles E.; Gibbs, Paul J.

Dish-Stirling systems are a strong candidate to meet cost production goals for solar thermal power production. Thermal energy storage improves the capacity factor of thermal power systems; copper-silicon-magnesium eutectic alloys have been investigated as potential latent heat storage materials. This work examines the ability of commercially available plasma spray coatings to serve as protective barriers with these alloys, while highlighting mechanistic insights into materials for latent heat storage systems. Computed tomography was leveraged as a rapid screening tool to assess the presence of localized attack in tested coatings.