Optical property characterization of molten salt mixtures for thermal modeling of volumetrically absorbing solar receiver applications

Melanie Tetreault-Friend, Thomas McKrell, Emilio Baglietto, Antoni Gil, Alexander H. Slocum, Nicolas Calvet

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

A method for experimentally determining the attenuation coefficient of high temperature semi-transparent liquids for volumetrically absorbing solar receiver applications was developed. The method was used to measure the attenuation coefficient over a broad spectral range in a 40 wt. % KNO3:60 wt. % NaNO3 binary nitrate molten salt mixture (solar salt). The measured absorption bands extend over 98% of the re-emission spectrum of the salt, indicating that thermal redistribution within the salt itself via radiative participating media effects is negligible. In addition, the effects of the salt's purity and thermal decomposition on the optical properties were also investigated and the light penetration depth is shown to vary significantly in the presence of impurities. The implications of these results for solar receiver design and modeling are discussed.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationSolarPACES 2016
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
ISBN (Electronic)9780735415225
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Jun 2017
Event22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duration: 11 Oct 201614 Oct 2016

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1850
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityAbu Dhabi
Period11/10/1614/10/16

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