High temperature fluoride composites for latent thermal storage in advanced space solar dynamic power system

Composite materials containing silicon carbide and fluorides that have been developed for latent thermal storage in advanced space solar dynamic power systems have been studied. One of the materials examined consists of lithium fluoride which is adapted to a conventional closed gas turbine with 1000-1100 K inlet temperature. SiC composites using the eutectic of LiF-CaF/sub 2/ (80.5-19.5 mol.%) which currently is receiving particular attention have also been developed. A higher temperature SiC composite consisting of magnesium fluoride has been developed for a gas turbine with 1500 K inlet temperature, for use in the advanced stage of a space solar dynamic power system. In addition to the material study, an experimental setup for studying thermal performance of the space receiver component was designed, the details of which are described.<
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