Thermophysical Properties and Corrosion Characterization of Low Cost Lithium Containing Nitrate Salts Produced in Northern Chile for Thermal Energy Storage

Ángel G. Fernández, Judith C. Gomez, Hector Galleguillos, Edward Fuentealba

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

7 Scopus Citations

Abstract

In recent years, lithium containing salts have been studied for thermal energy storage (TES) systems applications, because of their optimal thermophysical properties. In solar power plants, lithium is seen as a way to improve the properties of molten salts used today. Lithium nitrate is a good candidate for sensible heat storage, due to its ability to increase the salt mixture's working temperature range. In the present research, thermophysical properties characterization of lithium nitrate containing salts, produced in Chile, have been carried out. Corrosion evaluations of carbon and low chromium steels were performed at 390°C for 1000 hours. Thermophysical properties of the salt mixtures, such as thermal stability and heat capacity, were measured before and after corrosion tests. Chemical composition of the salts was also determined and an estimation of Chilean production costs is reported. Results showed that purity, thermal stability and heat capacity of the salts were reduced, caused by partial thermal decomposition and incorporation of corrosion products from the steel.

Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 May 2016
Event21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015 - Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 13 Oct 201516 Oct 2015

Conference

Conference21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period13/10/1516/10/15

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Author(s).

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5500-65775

Keywords

  • concentrating solar power
  • corrosion
  • CSP
  • lithium nitrate
  • thermal energy storage (TES)
  • thermophysical properties

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