Lifetime prediction of novel particles and improvements beyond the state of the art

This deliverable describes the modelling work that has been undertaken to better understand the particles and thereby assist in their design. This includes an analysis of the phase stabilities as a function of temperature, micromechanical response of individual particles including the effect of the underlying microstructure, as well as their mechanical behavior in tubular heat exchanger, thus representing realistic concentrated solar thermal (CST) application conditions. An overview of the framework is shown in Figure 1. This document presents the findings on the mechanical performance and lifetime prediction of novel particles to be used in advanced solar supercritical CO₂ power plants. Through computational modeling and experimental testing, we examined phase stability, micromechanical behavior, and fracture mechanisms of particles under extreme conditions, including high temperatures and mechanical stresses in heat exchangers. Our analyses, supported by thermodynamic calculations and discrete element simulations, identified critical factors influencing particle durability, such as microstructure, shape, and phase composition. The results provide valuable insights into the design of particle materials that can withstand the demanding operational conditions of CST applications, potentially enabling more efficient, durable, and carbon-neutral energy solutions.