Modeling and control of a two-tank molten salt thermal storage for a concentrated solar plant

This paper is focused on a two-tank molten salt sensible Thermal Energy Storage (TES) that exchanges heat with a Concentrated Solar Plant (CSP) in a indirect active way. A detailed dynamical model that reproduces the physical behavior of a two-tank molten salt sensible TES is presented first. Then a control strategy is designed to regulate the enthalpy of the CSP fluid after charging or discharging it and to also regulate the tank levels in order to ensure a certain amount of available storage material at any time. Finally some illustrative simulation results are given.