Characterization and Heat Transfer Performance of Quarternary Nitrate Based Molten Salts

Abstract

The use of molten salts as heat transfer has become the preferable composition. It has excellent properties such as low melting points, high heat capacity, and a wide range of temperatures. This paper focuses on the characterization and heat transfer performance of quaternary nitrate based on molten salts whose composition has been reported by previous researchers. The quaternary molten salts (LiNO3, NaNO3, KNO3, Ca(NO3)2) were characterized to determine the melting point and heat capacity using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The heat transfer performance was then tested on the test rig of the designated system to determine the heat transfer properties of molten salts. The composition of 10 wt% LiNO3, 10 wt% NaNO3, 40 wt% KNO3, 40 wt% Ca(NO3)2 has a low melting point of 97.7°C, high heat capacity which was 0.46J/g°C, and maximum thermal stability temperature was 439.04°C. The heat transfer performance test showed that this sample can be used as heat transfer fluid and can store energy in the system. In conclusion, quaternary nitrate-based molten salt is a promising candidate for heat transfer and energy storage in heat recovery applications.

Solar Energy Harnessing Technologies towards De-Carbonization: A Systematic Review of Processes and Systems

“…It is proven that molten salts have a high energy storage capacity and can be used as the main heat transfer fluid, allowing efficient energy storage and transfer [66]. The research performed in [67] reports that a LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3 eutectic mixture had a high melting point, good thermal stability, and excellent heat transfer properties, making it a suitable candidate for Molten salts have been used as sensible heat storage materials in solar power plants due to their high thermal stability, low cost, and good heat transfer properties. It is proven that molten salts have a high energy storage capacity and can be used as the main heat transfer fluid, allowing efficient energy storage and transfer [66].…”

“…It is proven that molten salts have a high energy storage capacity and can be used as the main heat transfer fluid, allowing efficient energy storage and transfer [66]. The research performed in [67] reports that a LiNO 3 -NaNO 3 -KNO 3 eutectic mixture had a high melting point, good thermal stability, and excellent heat transfer properties, making it a suitable candidate for high-temperature energy storage applications. The thermal performance of a direct-contact thermal storage system using molten salt as the storage medium possesses a higher energy storage density than other systems using water or PCMs.…”