Melting Point and Heat Capacity Amendment of LiNO3-KNO3 Molten Salt using Nanosilica and Nanoalumina for Concentrated Solar Power Applications

Abstract

Abstract Molten salts are widely used as heat transfer fluids (HTF) in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems due to their high heat capacity and low cost. However, their low thermal conductivity and poor flowability pose significant challenges to CSP system efficiency. The experimental results demonstrate that the incorporation of Nano Particles (NPs) can significantly enhance the thermal properties of molten salts, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of CSP systems. The study further investigates the effects of nanoparticle concentration and type on the properties of molten salts. The results reveal that the addition of a small concentration of NPs (1–5%) can decrease the melting point of the molten salts by up to 22–45%. Moreover, the heat capacity of the molten salts can also be improved through the addition of NPs. The findings of this work have significant implications for the development of next-generation CSP systems that can operate at higher temperatures and achieve greater energy efficiency. The enhanced thermal properties of molten salts achieved through nano Particles incorporation can enable CSP systems to generate more electricity while minimizing operational costs. These findings could contribute to the development of sustainable and cost-effective CSP systems that can play a critical role in the transition to a low-carbon energy future.