Synthesis and Characterization of Doped Nano Heat Transfer Fluid for Concentrated Solar Power Plant

Abstract

With the view to minimize the energy crisis due to the ever depleting non-renewable energy resources, this research aimed to apply nanotechnology to enhance the efficacy of solar energy power plant – a renewable energy resource. According to literature Concentrated Solar Power Plant system requires heat transfer fluid (HTF) for proficient working. This research reports the synthesis of novel, efficient heat transfer fluid doped with nano sized particle including carbon nanotubes and metal oxide i-e copper oxide. This nano heat transfer fluid (NHTF) has very low melting point in comparison to conventionally prepared molten salt mixture for heat transfer purpose which typically have high melting point characteristically 140°C or higher. Most prominently this NHTF has enhanced thermo-physical properties including high thermal stability and high specific heat capacity. These properties ensures effective increase in thermal energy storage (TES) which is a key factor in solar thermal power plant and make it broad range operating heat transfer fluid.