Recent advancements in heat transfer fluids (HTFs) for thermal energy storage (TES) focus on improving thermal performance, stability, and energy density. Key developments include:
Molten Salt-Based Nanofluids
New quaternary nitrate-based molten salts (e.g., NaNO₃-KNO₃-Ca(NO₃)₂-LiNO₃) are being optimized for higher thermal stability and lower melting points. Incorporating nanoparticles (e.g., alumina or graphite) into these salts enhances thermal conductivity and heat transfer rates.
Latent Heat Transfer Fluids
Phase change materials (PCMs) like n-eicosane mixed with tetradecanol/butyrate (TBT) demonstrate improved thermal conductivity (up to 18.6% higher than pure PCMs) when microencapsulated. Research also focuses on reducing PCM corrosiveness and improving heat exchange efficiency through fins, heat pipes, and multi-PCM configurations.
Thermochemical Fluids
While not widely commercialized, thermochemical TES (TCES) systems show the highest energy density potential. Innovations emphasize non-toxic chemical pairs and reversible reactions to minimize environmental concerns.
Comparison of TES Fluid Advancements
| Type | Key Advancements | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Molten Salts | Nanoparticle additives, quaternary nitrate formulations | High-temperature degradation |
| PCMs | Microencapsulation, hybrid PCMs with enhanced conductivity | Corrosion, phase segregation |
| Thermochemical | Non-toxic reactant development, compact systems | High cost, reaction kinetics management |
Research continues to address efficiency gaps, particularly in reducing heat loss and scaling up hybrid systems.
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