Dynamic simulation and control strategy development of molten salt steam generation system for coal-fired power plant flexible retrofit

The coal-fired power plant (CFPP) coupled with the molten salt thermal energy storage system is a potential way to improve its flexibility and peak-shaving ability. The steam generation system (SGS) is a suitable choice to convert the feed water into hot steam by using the heat from the molten salt. In this paper, the schematic of an SGS coupled with the CFPP is presented. A dynamic model of the SGS basing lump parameter method is established and validated to investigate its dynamic response characteristics. Five different disturbance experiments including feed water inlet parameters, molten salt inlet parameters and medium pressure steam valve, are conducted and analyzed. The dynamic response curves of molten salt and steam are obtained. Moreover, the load adjustment process of SGS with three different load changing rates (3 %, 6 %, 10 % Pe/min) under the rated conditions is compared and its influence on the SGS is analyzed. The temperature changing rates in the thick-wall components of SGS are within 2 °C/min which meets the safe operating standard. Based on the above results, the three elements control strategy with excellent robustness for the SGS safety operation is proposed and demonstrated. The results show that the response time for the SGS load regulation process and the water level fluctuation have been significantly improved as the three elements control strategy is imposed. The water level can be stabilized in 200 s with tiny fluctuation when the SGS loads down 10 % thermal load with 10 % Pe/min load changing rate. These results could provide useful references for the design and control strategy making of the CFPP coupled with the molten salt thermal energy storage system. •Dynamic model for a 162 MW steam generation system is established and validated. • Dynamic performances of the steam generation system under different disturbances are obtained. • Dynamic response characteristic of SGS under different load changing rates is compared. • Three elements control strategy is proposed and its robustness is demonstrated. • Temperature changing rates in the thick-wall components of SGS are within 2 °C/min.