Demonstration and analysis of a steam reforming process driven with solar heat using molten salts as heat transfer fluid

Solar reforming of biogas or biomethane represents an example hydrogen production from the combination of renewable sources such as biomass and solar energy. Thanks to its relatively low-cost and flexibility, solar-reforming can represent a complementary source of hydrogen where/when the demand exceeds the green hydrogen availability from water electrolysis powered by PV or wind. Molten salts can be used as heat transfer fluid and heat storage medium in solar-driven steam reforming. The main units of the process have been developed at the pilot scale and experimentally tested in a molten salt experimental loop at ENEA-Casaccia research center: a molten salt heater and a molten salt membrane reformer. After experimental validation, techno-economic studies have been carried out to assess the solar reforming technology on commercial scale and exploitation opportunities have been analysed.

High-Temperature Corrosion Performance of FeAl-Based Alloys Containing Carbon in Molten Salt

Corrosion behavior of FeAl-based alloys containing carbon produced through arc melting in argon atmosphere has been studied at 500 °C to 700 °C. The samples were tested in the aggressive environment of molten salts (80%V2O5/20%Na2SO4). The corrosion behavior was observed by weight change method and the layer products formed were examined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The different phase components were observed in the surface layer after the test in Fe-22Al alloy. A protective Al2O3 layer was confirmed for Fe-22Al alloy containing carbon only. However, an additional TiO layer was also observed in Fe-22Al alloy containing carbon with Ti addition. The microstructural and XRD examinations revealed that this additional TiO layer protects better against penetration of corrosive media. The corrosion resistance behavior of FeAl-based alloys were addressed on the basis of microstructural evidence.