HRI’s heat exchanger expands the capabilities of carbon capture

HRI’s heat exchanger for a molten salt to molten salt carbon capture application solved drainability challenges in a surprisingly compact, unique design. Constructed of extremely strong alloy, it operated at high temperatures and had a fully drainable design to prevent salt from pooling, solidifying, and plugging the unit.

flow length in a 1’ tall package
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/ 800°C operating temperature
0 °F
/ 5 bar operating pressure
~ 0 psi

Requirements

Mantel needed a heat exchanger to solve a host of challenges for their molten salt-based carbon capture system, including salt solidification issues

Mantel is a carbon capture innovator. Its molten salt to molten salt system is a promising technology that could expand carbon capture’s operability. But when the system was shut down, the molten salt within the heat exchanger had to be drainable from both sides in order to prevent it from plugging the unit. Additionally, it had to operate at high pressures and be short enough to fit into an extremely compact space. 

Project Specifications

800°C / 1472°F

12’ flow length, 12” height

5 bar / 73 psi

Molten salt to molten salt

The Solution

HRI designed a heat exchanger with a unique configuration — and it proved the right solution

HRI’s compact and custom design featured a 12-foot flow length and a 12” height to achieve the desired heat transfer in an extremely small space. Fully drainable on both sides per Mantel’s specs, it solved the drainability issue other heat exchangers couldn’t. The configuration also ensured there was nowhere for the molten salt to pool and potentially solidify and plug the system upon a shutdown or cooldown.

  • Constructed of Incoloy 800H for exceptional strength, durability, and high-temperature oxidation resistance
  • 12’ flow length prevented molten salt pooling
  • Drainable on both sides
  • Pressure tested to ensure a leak-tight product

The Results

HRI’s compact design met all of Mantel’s specs and is testing well

For Mantel, HRI’s solution met all of their specs after traditional heat exchangers couldn’t. It proved that a heat exchanger could be compact and durable in high temperatures and moderate pressure, be a mere 12” in height, and prevent salt pooling and plugging as well. It adds a vital level of functionality to a promising and innovative approach to carbon capture. Presently, Mantel is testing it at their demonstration site in Boston.

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The Future

What’s next: Scaling up the application

Due to positive and sustained results, the customer has brought in HRI for additional projects. Taking the same approach and getting the team involved in the early stages, the project goals can be factored into highly customized packages, effectively meeting the customer’s needs as they head into the future.

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