A system and method for detecting leaks in a molten salt tank

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a system and method for detecting leakage of a molten salt tank, the system comprising a detection assembly, a receiving assembly and a control assembly; wherein the detection assembly comprises a fixed metal strip, a glass fiber interlayer, a terminal and a metal wire; the metal wire with terminals arranged at both ends is arranged in the glass fiber interlayer; the fixed metal strip is arranged above and below the glass fiber interlayer; the receiving assembly is connected with the fixed metal strip and the terminal respectively, and is used for arranging the fixed metal strip circumferentially outside the molten salt tank and connecting the glass fiber interlayer with an annular weld on the molten salt tank; the control assembly is electrically connected with the receiving assembly, and is used for outputting a voltage signal and detecting a current signal after the voltage signal is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire through the receiving assembly. The embodiment of the application can convert the leakage phenomenon of the molten salt tank into a measurable current signal and detect whether leakage occurs in the running process of the molten salt tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of molten salt energy storage technology, and in particular to a system and method for detecting leaks in molten salt tanks. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, coupled with the increasing electricity consumption across society, the peak-valley difference in power grid demand is widening, leading to a growing need for low-cost, long-life energy storage technologies. Molten salt energy storage technology can convert electrical energy into thermal energy for storage, offering advantages such as low average cost, long service life, and clean, pollution-free operation. It is one of the main energy storage methods for addressing the future development of new energy sources.

[0003] Molten salt is an excellent medium- and high-temperature thermal storage medium, characterized by low vapor pressure, good fluidity, and high storage temperature. Currently, the most widely used molten salt in engineering applications is solar salt (potassium nitrate + sodium nitrate). The biggest advantages of solar salt are its good thermal stability and low corrosiveness; its disadvantage is its excessively high freezing point, approximately 220℃. In molten salt thermal storage systems, liquid molten salt continuously flows and displaces between high- and low-temperature molten salt storage tanks to store and release heat energy. The molten salt storage tank is the core equipment for storing liquid molten salt. To reduce heat loss, thick insulation layers are installed on the exterior of these tanks. However, it is difficult to detect minute cracks on the surface of the molten salt storage tank due to design flaws or improper operation. By the time these cracks expand into fissures and cause large-scale molten salt leakage, the appropriate emergency response opportunity has often been missed, leading to significant losses for the project. Therefore, effectively monitoring the leakage of molten salt storage tanks is a crucial issue facing the large-scale application of molten salt thermal storage systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to at least partially address one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this application is to propose a system and method for detecting leaks in molten salt tanks. This system is characterized by low cost and easy installation. When a leak occurs in the tank, the system will issue an alarm by measuring changes in the current signal and can also effectively indicate the location of the leak.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes a system for detecting leaks in molten salt tanks, comprising:

[0007] The detection component includes a fixing metal strip, a glass fiber interlayer, a terminal block, and a metal wire; the metal wire with the terminal block at both ends is disposed within the glass fiber interlayer; the fixing metal strip is disposed above and below the glass fiber interlayer.

[0008] A receiving component; which is connected to the fixing metal strip and the terminal block respectively, for circumferentially arranging the fixing metal strip outside the molten salt tank body and making the glass fiber interlayer contact and connect with the circumferential weld on the molten salt tank body; and

[0009] A control component, electrically connected to the receiving component, is used to output a voltage signal and, after transmitting the voltage signal to both ends of the metal wire through the receiving component, detect a current signal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the receiving component includes a measuring terminal and a fixed terminal; wherein the fixed metal strip has circular holes at both ends, and the circular holes at both ends are respectively connected to the fixed terminal; the wiring terminals are respectively connected to the measuring terminal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the receiving component is connected to the control component via a transmission line.

[0012] In some embodiments, the glass fiber interlayer includes an inner glass fiber layer and an outer glass fiber layer; the metal wire is sandwiched between the inner glass fiber layer and the outer glass fiber layer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the metal wires comprise a plurality of parallel metal wires and are spaced apart between the inner glass fiber layer and the outer glass fiber layer.

[0014] In some embodiments, there are multiple glass fiber interlayers, which are arranged sequentially in the thickness direction of the glass fiber interlayers.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fiberglass interlayer is connected to the fixing metal strips above and below it by wrapping around it.

[0016] In some embodiments, a method for detecting leaks in a molten salt tank is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0017] The molten salt tank leakage detection system described in any of the above embodiments is circumferentially arranged outside the molten salt tank and the glass fiber interlayer is contacted and connected to the circumferential weld on the molten salt tank.

[0018] The control component outputs a voltage signal, which is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire through a transmission line and a measuring terminal. The control component determines whether the molten salt tank is leaking by whether it can detect the current signal. If the signal is "yes", the molten salt tank is not leaking. If the signal is "no", the molten salt in the tank is leaking outward, causing the glass fiber interlayer and the metal wire to break. In this case, the control component will not be able to detect the current signal and will issue an early warning.

[0019] In some embodiments, before the molten salt tank leakage detection system described in any of the above embodiments is put into operation, it is necessary to check whether the current signal is normal in advance, so as to prevent the control component from making a misjudgment due to the breakage of the metal wire caused by factors other than the molten salt tank leakage.

[0020] In some embodiments, after the system alarms, the insulation material on the surface of the molten salt tank is removed and the problematic weld is repaired. Then, the surface of the molten salt tank is cleaned and the detection components are replaced.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0022] This application provides a system and method for detecting leaks in molten salt tanks. It can convert the leakage phenomenon of molten salt tanks into a measurable current signal and detect whether a leak occurs during the operation of the molten salt tank. It has the advantages of low cost, easy installation and high accuracy, and can help operators to detect accident risks in a timely manner and reduce engineering losses.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a molten salt tank leakage detection system proposed in one embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a detection component proposed in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the control component and the receiving component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for detecting leakage in a molten salt tank according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] In the diagram, 1. Molten salt tank; 2. Weld; 3. Detection assembly; 3-1. Fixing metal strip; 3-2. Fiberglass interlayer; 3-3. Wiring terminal; 3-4. Metal wire; 4. Receiving assembly; 4-1. Fixing terminal; 4-2. Measuring terminal; 5. Control assembly; 6. Transmission line. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. Rather, embodiments of this application include all variations, modifications, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0031] To achieve the above objectives, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 This application discloses a system for detecting leaks in a molten salt tank 1, comprising a detection component 3, a receiving component 4, and a control component 5; wherein...

[0032] The detection component 3 includes a fixing metal strip 3-1, a glass fiber interlayer 3-2, a terminal block 3-3, and a metal wire 3-4; the metal wire 3-4 with the terminal block 3-3 at both ends is located inside the glass fiber interlayer 3-2; the fixing metal strip 3-1 is provided above and below the glass fiber interlayer 3-2;

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the left-right and up-down directions are as follows: Figure 2 As shown in the left-right and up-down directions, terminals 3-3 are provided at both ends of the metal wire 3-4. The metal wire 3-4 is fixedly installed within the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 along its length and is clamped by the glass fiber interlayer 3-2. The length direction of the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is the same as that of the metal wire 3-4. Figure 2 The left and right directions are consistent. Fixed metal strips 3-1 are provided above and below the glass fiber interlayer 3-2. In some embodiments, the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is connected to the fixed metal strips 3-1 above and below it by winding.

[0034] The receiving component 4 is connected to the fixed metal strip 3-1 and the terminal block 3-3 respectively, and is used to circumferentially arrange the fixed metal strip 3-1 outside the molten salt tank 1 and make the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 contact and connect with the annular weld 2 on the molten salt tank 1.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the molten salt tank 1 is composed of multiple circular steel plates, forming annular welds 2 between them. The detection component 3 covers the surface of the weld 2 circumferentially around the molten salt tank 1, and applies pre-tightening force through the fixing metal strip 3-1 glass fiber layer, ensuring close contact between the glass fiber layer and the surface of the molten salt tank 1. The control component 5 outputs a voltage signal, which is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire 3-4 via the transmission line 6 and measuring terminals 4-2. Under normal circumstances, the control component 5 can monitor a certain current signal.

[0036] The receiving component 4 includes a measuring terminal 4-2 and a fixed terminal 4-1; wherein, it is known that the fixed terminal 4-1 is connected to a fixed metal strip 3-1, the fixed metal strip 3-1 is circumferentially arranged outside the molten salt tank 1 and the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is in contact with the annular weld 2 on the molten salt tank 1. An exemplary embodiment is shown below. Figure 2 As shown, round holes are provided at both ends of the fixing metal strip 3-1. There are two terminals 3-3 on the receiving component 4. One round hole at each end of the fixing metal strip 3-1 is connected to one of the two terminals 3-3 respectively, so that the fixing metal strip 3-1 is circumferentially fixed to the outside of the molten salt tank 1 by means of the terminals 3-3. In some embodiments, multiple round holes are provided at both ends of the fixing metal strip 3-1. The round holes at different positions on the left and right sides of the fixing metal strip 3-1 can be connected to the terminals 3-3 to adjust the pre-tightening force applied by the fixing metal strip 3-1 to the glass fiber interlayer 3-2, so that the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is in close contact with the annular weld 2 on the surface of the molten salt tank 1.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the terminals 3-3 at the left and right ends of the metal wire 3-4 can be connected to the measuring terminals 4-2 at both ends of the receiving component 4 respectively. The control component 5 is electrically connected to the receiving component 4 through the transmission line 6, and is used to output voltage signals and transmit the voltage signals to both ends of the metal wire 3-4 through the receiving component 4 to detect current signals.

[0038] In some embodiments, there are multiple glass fiber interlayers 3-2, which are arranged sequentially in the thickness direction of the glass fiber interlayers 3-2.

[0039] Specifically, the multiple glass fiber interlayers 3-2 have the same structure, that is, each glass fiber interlayer 3-2 includes an inner glass fiber layer and an outer glass fiber layer arranged opposite each other in the front-back direction; wherein the front-back direction is perpendicular to the left-right and up-down directions, and the thickness direction of the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is consistent with the front-back direction.

[0040] Metal wires 3-4 are clamped between the inner and outer glass fiber layers to secure them. Each glass fiber interlayer 3-2 contains multiple parallel metal wires 3-4, which are spaced apart vertically within the interlayer. These wires are electrically conductive and have low tensile strength, and remain fixed to the glass fiber layers. Both the inner and outer glass fiber layers are made of glass fiber, which is heat-resistant and has low tensile strength. When a crack appears in weld 2, causing molten salt to leak outwards along the annular weld 2, the molten salt first contacts and pressurizes the glass fiber interlayer 3-2. As the molten salt cools and solidifies, and as more liquid molten salt leaks out, the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 ruptures, causing the internal metal wires 3-4 to break.

[0041] The specific number of glass fiber interlayers 3-2 arranged sequentially in the front-to-back direction is determined by strength testing. Among them, the known glass fiber interlayers 3-2 can be replaced with other types of materials with similar characteristics.

[0042] In some embodiments, a method for detecting leakage in a molten salt tank 1 is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0043] S1: The leakage detection system of the molten salt tank 1 in any of the above embodiments is circumferentially arranged outside the molten salt tank 1 and the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 is in contact with the annular weld 2 on the molten salt tank 1.

[0044] S2: The control component 5 outputs a voltage signal, which is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire 3-4 through the transmission line 6 and the measuring terminal 4-2. The control component 5 determines whether the molten salt tank 1 is leaking by whether it can detect the current signal. If it is "yes", then the molten salt tank 1 is not leaking. If it is "no", the molten salt in the molten salt tank 1 leaks outward, causing the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 and the metal wire 3-4 to break. In this case, the control component 5 will not be able to detect the current signal and will issue an early warning.

[0045] like Figure 4As shown, a pre-tightening force is applied to the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 by fixing the metal strip 3-1, making the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 in close contact with the surface of the molten salt tank 1; the control component 5 outputs a voltage signal, which is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire 3-4 through the transmission line 6 and the measuring terminal 4-2. Under normal circumstances, the control component 5 can monitor a certain current signal; when a crack appears in the weld 22, causing the liquid molten salt to leak outward, the molten salt first contacts the glass fiber interlayer 3-2 and makes it bear pressure. As the molten salt cools down and solidifies, and as the liquid molten salt continues to leak outward, the glass fiber interlayer 3-2... If a rupture occurs and causes the metal wire 3-4 to break, the control component 5 will determine whether a leak has occurred on the surface of the molten salt tank 1 and the location of the weld 2 based on the disappearance or change of the monitored current. Before the detection system is put into normal operation, the current signal should be checked in advance to prevent other factors from causing the metal wire 3-4 to break and causing the control component 5 to make a wrong judgment. When the system detects a molten salt leak alarm, the insulation material on the surface of the molten salt tank 1 should be removed in time. After the problematic weld 2 is dealt with, the residual inorganic salt or rust on the surface of the tank should be cleaned and the detection component 3 should be replaced.

[0046] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0047] Any process or method description in the flowchart or otherwise herein can be understood as representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of this application includes additional implementations in which functions may be performed not in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order according to the functions involved, as should be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of this application pertain.

[0048] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0049] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A system for detecting leaks in a molten salt tank, characterized in that, include: The detection component includes a fixing metal strip, a glass fiber interlayer, terminals, and a metal wire; the metal wire, with terminals at both ends, is disposed within the glass fiber interlayer; the fixing metal strip is disposed above and below the glass fiber interlayer; the glass fiber interlayer comprises an inner glass fiber layer and an outer glass fiber layer; the metal wire is sandwiched between the inner and outer glass fiber layers; the metal wire is held fixed on the glass fiber layers. Receive component; It is connected to the fixed metal strip and the terminal block respectively, for circumferentially setting the fixed metal strip outside the molten salt tank and making the glass fiber interlayer contact the annular weld on the molten salt tank; the receiving component includes a measuring terminal and a fixed terminal; wherein the fixed metal strip has round holes at both ends, and the round holes at both ends are respectively connected to the fixed terminal; the terminal block is respectively connected to the measuring terminal; when the annular weld cracks and causes the liquid molten salt to leak outward along the annular weld, the liquid molten salt first contacts the glass fiber interlayer and makes it bear pressure. As the liquid molten salt cools down and becomes solid and the liquid molten salt continues to leak outward, the glass fiber interlayer breaks and drives the metal wire inside it to break; and A control component, electrically connected to the receiving component, is used to output a voltage signal and, after transmitting the voltage signal to both ends of the metal wire through the receiving component, detect a current signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving component is connected to the control component via a transmission line.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal wires comprise a plurality of parallel wires, which are spaced apart between the inner glass fiber layer and the outer glass fiber layer.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The glass fiber interlayer consists of multiple layers, which are arranged sequentially in the thickness direction of the glass fiber interlayer.

5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fiberglass interlayer is connected to the fixed metal strips above and below it by winding.

6. A method for detecting leakage in a molten salt tank, characterized in that, Includes the following steps The system described in any one of claims 1-5 is circumferentially disposed outside the molten salt tank body and the glass fiber interlayer is contacted and connected to the circumferential weld on the molten salt tank body; The control component outputs a voltage signal, which is transmitted to both ends of the metal wire through a transmission line and a measuring terminal. The control component determines whether the molten salt tank is leaking by whether it can detect the current signal. If the signal is "yes", the molten salt tank is not leaking. If the signal is "no", the molten salt in the tank is leaking outward, causing the glass fiber interlayer and the metal wire to break. In this case, the control component will not be able to detect the current signal and will issue an early warning.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before the system described in any of claims 1-5 is put into operation, the current signal must be checked in advance to prevent the control component from misjudging due to the breakage of the metal wire caused by factors other than the leakage of the molten salt tank.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the system alarms, the insulation material on the surface of the molten salt tank is removed and the problematic welds are repaired. Then the surface of the molten salt tank is cleaned and the detection components are replaced.

Images