Thermodynamic Properties of Novel Low Melting Point LiNO3- NaNO3-KNO3 Ternary Molten Salt for Parabolic Trough Solar Power Generation

"A new eutectic of LiNO3-NaNO3-KNO3 ternary system was calculated by using thermodynamic modeling and the eutectic temperature was predicted to be 389.15K. The melting point was determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). On repeated measurements, it was found that the melting point of the eutectic composition showed excellent reproducibility with the predicted value. The heat capacity was also measured using DSC and the data as function of temperature were fit to polynomial functions. Subsequently, the thermodynamic properties such as enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energies of this novel ternary eutectic salt mixture were deduced as function of temperature.IntroductionIn these days, the provision of the large amount of energy required in the peak period relies more and more on the parabolic trough solar power plant and it works by utilizing the thermal transfer fluid. Consequently, the development of inoovative thermal transfer fluid with higher energy storage density is paramount to lower the expense for generating energy [1-4]."