Heat exchanger manufacturer Alfa Laval has launched its once-through steam generator, designed specifically for compact molten salt energy storage applications. The unit integrates the functions of an economizer, evaporator, superheater, and steam drum into a single shell, offering high thermal performance, excellent reliability, and a minimal installation footprint.
Power-to-heat systems like this can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in process industries by using renewable solar and wind energy for heating instead of fossil fuels. Renewable energy generates heat that is stored in molten salt and later converted into steam for production processes.
Small-scale, modular power-to-heat systems are especially promising, as they require minimal CAPEX and installation work. Alfa Laval’s new once-through steam generator is optimized for these systems, enabling a complete, highly efficient steam generator to fit in compact spaces while ensuring reliable steam production even at loads as low as 5%.