Novel Low-Cost Heat Exchanger for High Temperature Molten Salts; Phase I; Final Scientific/Technical Report

High temperature, corrosion resistant, and cost-effective heat exchangers (HXs) are a key enabling technology for next generation nuclear power systems. Over the past year, Clean Energy Systems, Inc. has conducted initial development and demonstration of a new HX technology that offers the promise of meeting identified targets while overcoming many of the shortcomings of traditional exchangers. The novel approach offers a robust solution with attributes that include: Extreme compactness, 15% to 35% reduction in size over current state of the art, High thermal effectiveness and pressure integrity, Ability to segregate and contain fluids in a dedicated and minimized volume; multiple materials in a single HX, each tailored to the specific exchange fluid, Shorter fabrication and lead times than currently employed HX technologies Significantly lower cost, preliminary estimates indicate 25% to 50% lower cost than printed circuit HXs in equivalent service, and Use of proven, environmentally favorable, manufacturing processes and materials. The Phase I program successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the novel HX at subscale and advanced the technology to a readiness level of 4. Based upon results, follow on development and demonstration work is recommended to advance the promising technology to readiness level 6.