Analysis on heat transfer characteristic of lead-bismuth eutectic alloy applied in solar thermal power generation

The thermo-physical and heat transfer properties of liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) alloy were expounded. An idea of using LBE as high temperature heat transfer medium for solar thermal power generation was proposed. A calculation module for fluid heat transfer properties was established. The heat transfer properties of LBE and molten salt which is the traditional solar heat transfer medium were contrastively calculated. The results indicate that a higher efficiency and better economy were received in heat circulation and the investment costs of solar thermal power generation would be largely saved when using LBE as heat transfer medium than that using molten salt. There is a great prospect to LBE applied in solar thermal power generation as high temperature heat transfer medium.