Donghyun Shin

Silica nanoparticles (1% by weight) were dispersed in a eutectic of lithium carbonate and potassium carbonate (62:38 ratio) to obtain high temperature nanofluids. A differential scanning calorimeter instrument was used to measure the specific heat of the neat molten salt eutectic and after addition of nanoparticles. The specific heat of the nanofluid was enhanced by 19–24%. The measurement uncertainty for the specific heat values in the experiments is estimated to be in the range of 1–5%. These

Anomalous enhancements in the specific heat capacity values of nanomaterials were measured in this study. Silica nanoparticles (∼2–20 nm) were dispersed into eutectic of lithium carbonate and potassium carbonate (62:38 by molar ratio) at 1.5% mass concentration. The specific heat capacity measurements were performed using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The specific heat capacity of the silica nanocomposite (solid phase) was enhanced by 38–54% and the specific heat of the silica nanof

Controversial results have been reported for specific heat of conventional nanofluids and molten salt nanofluids. Some water-based and organic-based nanofluids showed decreases in specific heat, while molten salt-based nanofluids showed highly enhanced specific heat. In this study, we propose a distinct heat storage mechanism to explain enhanced specific heat of molten salt nanofluids and compare with the specific heat mechanism of conventional nanofluids.

The aim of this study is to investigate the enhancement of thermal properties of various high temperature nanofluids for solar thermal energy storage application. In concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, the thermo-physical properties of the heat transfer fluids (HTF) and the thermal energy storage (TES) materials are key to enhancing the overall system efficiency. Molten salts, such as alkali nitrates, alkali carbonates, or eutectics are considered as alternatives to conventional HTF to exte

This study critically reviews the key aspects of nanoparticles and their impact on molten salts (MSs) for thermal energy storage (TES) in concentrated solar power (CSP). It then conducts a comprehensive analysis of MS nanofluids, focusing on identifying the best combinations of salts and nanoparticles to increase the specific heat capacity (SHC) efficiently. Various methods and approaches for the synthesis of these nanofluids are explained. The article presents different experimental techniques

The overall efficiency of a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system is critically dependent on the thermo-physical properties of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) components and the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Higher operating temperatures in CSP result in enhanced thermal efficiency of the thermodynamic cycles that are used in harnessing solar energy (e.g., using Rankine cycle or Stirling cycle). Particlularly, high specific heat capacity (Cp) and high thermal conductivity (k) of the HTF and TES ma