Molten salt corrosion mechanisms of nitrate based thermal energy storage materials for concentrated solar power plants: A review

Corrosion mechanisms for current heat transfer fluid and storage media used in CSP plants working at temperatures from 300 degrees C to 600 degrees C are reviewed in this paper. The studies found in the literature show that these mechanisms are influenced by the impurities present in the salt and the relation between Mg(NO3)(2), moisture, CO2, perchlorates, and sulphates with the corrosion process. Corrosion mechanisms were identified along with a discussion of the corrosion products and their influence on the corrosion layers formed.