Importance of Accurate Measurement in Industrial Processes

Accurate measurement across all operational stages is critical in industrial production, particularly for the emerging global solar thermal power industry. Whether using thermal oil or molten salt as the heat transfer medium, solar thermal power plants require daily monitoring of the flow of the medium in their pipelines to assess operational performance.

Challenges in High-Temperature Molten Salt Measurement

Molten salt thermal storage systems have become a standard feature in nearly all solar thermal power plants. Binary molten salt (a mixture of 60% sodium nitrate and 40% potassium nitrate) and other new molten salt products are being increasingly adopted. While thermal oil commonly used in domestic plants is highly polluting and challenging to dilute in case of spills, molten salt is non-toxic and non-polluting, making it widely used in countries like the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany.

However, molten salt systems operate at significantly higher temperatures than thermal oil, often exceeding 550°C. This introduces several challenges:

1. Increased Corrosiveness: Leading to greater wear on system components.

2. Solidification Risks: Molten salt can solidify, creating additional operational challenges.

3. Instrumentation Constraints: Traditional flow meters, including mass and vortex flow meters, struggle with such extreme conditions, particularly in terms of temperature resistance, installation complexity, and pressure loss.

Solar thermal power processes experience large temperature variations, from over 500°C during the day to around 300°C at night. These fluctuations can cause traditional flow meters to produce unstable readings.

Advantages of Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Ultrasonic flow meters are well-suited for extreme conditions, including high-temperature applications. They are categorized into low-temperature, medium-temperature, and high-temperature models, each equipped with specialized heat conduction systems.

• For fluid temperatures exceeding 180°C, a heat waveguide plate can be added to increase the temperature tolerance to 400°C.

• The heat conduction system serves two purposes:

1. Transmit Ultrasonic Waves

2. Dissipate Heat
   At a pipe temperature of 400°C, the waveguide plate can reduce the temperature to 180°C at the transducer mounting point. The highest configuration allows for measurements at up to 600°C without altering the medium's temperature.

Key Advantages:

• Multichannel Options: Adjusted based on required precision.

• Uninfluenced by Flow Profile and Environment: Stable readings in diverse conditions.

• Real-Time Measurement: Instantaneous and reliable.

• Minimal Maintenance: No moving parts, ensuring longevity and reduced maintenance.

• Durable Design: Robust structures with explosion-proof and protection grades for harsh environments.

• Customizable Configurations: Various sensors for different applications, with options for integrated or split installations.

• High-Temperature Tolerance: Sensors capable of measuring up to 600°C

  
  

MEZOLEN’s High-Temperature Flow Measurement Solution

MEZOLEN’s MF6030 Ultrasonic Flow Meter Series offers a stable and precise solution for high-temperature molten salt flow measurement. Key features include:

• Dual-Channel Configuration: Precision of ±0.5% and repeatability of ±0.2%.

• Flexible Sensor Layouts: Supports X-type or parallel configurations.

• Self-Calibrating Transmitters: Automatically recognize probe parameters, ensuring accurate and consistent measurements.

For high-temperature applications, MEZOLEN employs specialized structural designs:

• Pipeline Integration: Uses welded connections for secure mounting.

• Sensor Assembly: Fixed with flanges, allowing for online detachable installation.

• Custom Heat Conduction: Adjustable based on medium temperature.

The MF6030 Series has been widely adopted in the solar thermal power industry due to its high precision, large flow capacity, zero pressure loss, and maintenance-free operation. The product has earned recognition from relevant project entities and stakeholders.

MEZOLEN’s Contribution to China’s Solar Thermal Power Market

By the end of 2022, China’s solar thermal power installed capacity reached 588 MW, accounting for 8.3% of global capacity, ranking third worldwide. Projections indicate that by the end of 2024, the installed capacity in China will reach 3948 MW, with an annual compound growth rate of 159% from 2022 to 2024.

MEZOLEN is committed to driving the growth of China’s solar thermal power industry with its advanced products, cutting-edge technology, and attentive service. Together, we aim to build a modern power system and accelerate the green and low-carbon energy transition.