The heat transfer fluids used in CSP technologies include air, water, molten salts, glycol based, glycerol based and synthetic oils which can transfer heat effectively. Of these air and water are not being used now-a-days as air upon heating will increase by volume and so the heat exchanger to be installed should be of larger size for efficient heat transfer which also increases the investment cost to a greater extent. Water at high temperatures will get oxidized quickly, which can encourage the materials of the absorber tube to react and can cause corrosion in the inner parts of the tube. Molten salts have the tendency to get solidified when they reach high temperatures. The other fluids available are used for different operating temperatures. Glycol based fluids are used for applications below 175ºC and synthetic fluids for applications above 400ºC.
Silicone based heat transfer fluids exhibit interesting properties for the application in solar thermal power plants like high thermal stability, very low freezing points and high environmental acceptability.
.png){kind=icon}
Relevant for.png){kind=icon}
Innovation sector
Renewable Energy
Sustainable materials
Core sciences & engineering
University researcher
Corporate researcher
Startup or entrepreneur
Solution provider
Chemicals
Solar energy
.png)
Innovation Insights