Based on a concentrated solar power （CSP） molten salt thermal energy storage project

this study takes the foundation of the hot molten salt tank as the research object. Two temperature field models are established for the molten salt tank foundation

corresponding to forced ventilation and natural ventilation

respectively. Taking wind speed

ambient temperature

altitude

ventilation duct diameter and insulation layer thickness as key factors

the variation trend of the maximum soil surface temperature under the tank foundation with these factors is analyzed. Under both forced and natural ventilation modes

ambient temperature and altitude exert similar effects on the foundation soil temperature: the maximum soil surface temperature at the bottom of the molten salt tank foundation rises with increasing ambient temperature and altitude. In the forced ventilation mode

the enhanced forced convective heat transfer leads to a significant reduction in the foundation soil temperature. Under the highest ambient temperature condition

the soil surface temperature of the tank foundation can barely meet the design requirements in the natural ventilation mode. For natural ventilation

increasing the insulation layer thickness and ventilation duct diameter is the primary measure to lower the soil surface temperature.