Use of nanoparticles for enhancing the heat capacity of nanofluids based on molten salts as phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Economic storage of thermal energy is a key technological issue for solar thermal power plants. Among the various methods of energy storage, Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems using phase change materials (PCMs) have gained importance in solar energy systems thanks to their high energy storage density. This work shows that the nanofluids obtained by adding different nanoparticles to the molten salts increase the specific heat of the base PCM. These nanofluids can be used in a concentrating solar power plants with a reduction of storage material and a reductions of costs.