Dustin Meaux Louise ISD Louise High School Faculty Mentor: Dr: Cable Kurwitz Space Engineering Research Center and Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory The Addition of Nanoparticles to Various Salts in Efforts to Enhance Thermal Properties

Background into Concentrating Solar Power Systems 1.Power Tower Uses highly reflective metals focused at a specific point which converts water to steam that, in turn, powers a turbine to create electricity.

2. Parabolic Trough System Mirrors are positioned around a centralized tube where its reflection is concentrated. Heat transfer fluid heated to about 400 degrees C. Then heats steam which turns a turbine.

What are we doing? The project is an attempt to add nanoparticles to various solids and fluids to enhance the thermal properties The project is an attempt to add nanoparticles to various solids and fluids to enhance the thermal properties Based on previous work with nanoparticles and water. Based on previous work with nanoparticles and water. This research is a combination of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. This research is a combination of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. Why research is being done? This project serves the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and any company or corporation with an interest in thermal storage and advanced material. This project serves the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and any company or corporation with an interest in thermal storage and advanced material. Can lead to fewer materials in solar plants, which then transfers to cost efficiency. Can lead to fewer materials in solar plants, which then transfers to cost efficiency. It can also offset cost of fossil fuels and hazards to the environment. It can also offset cost of fossil fuels and hazards to the environment.

Procedure 1.Create material – First combine the carbonate with the specific nanoparticle chosen. This was prepared in a glove box: due to the hydrophyllic nature of the carbonate. Safety - do not inhale the particlesSafety - do not inhale the particles Reduce Contamination of lab and of material being createdReduce Contamination of lab and of material being created

2. Addition of nanoparticles - add nanoparticles to eutectic (carbonate salt) 1% by mass.add nanoparticles to eutectic (carbonate salt) 1% by mass. Nanoparticles:Nanoparticles: Titania, Silica, or AluminaTitania, Silica, or Alumina Mixture into water:Mixture into water: pH of 3, 7, or 10pH of 3, 7, or Sonication – Once in solution, it was sonicated for two hours in order to homogenize.Once in solution, it was sonicated for two hours in order to homogenize.

4.Extraction – Put homogenous mixture in glovebox Pour in stainless steel pan, heat to 200 degrees C Scrape and deposit into sealed container. 5.Analyzing - Measure specified amount of material into aluminum sample pans Place in DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter) Heats and cools at set parameters, compares the two pans. We are performing thermal property measurements, corrosion tests, tests for homogeneity (electron microscopy, neutron activation analysis), and cost projections

Why? Heat exchanger Heat transfer fluid (therminol) from the field to the heat exchanger Limited on max breakdown before breakdown Using a salt to eliminate the therminol and raise the high temperature of the plant can improves the thermal efficiency. Nitrate salts from cold tank run through heat exchanger, heated and stored in hot tank, used to generate steam, or cooled and run back thru the solar field. Runs in reverse at night to reheat heat transfer fluid to generate steam to power the turbine.

Heat exchangers and storage systems: Two-tank direct, Two-tank indirect, and Single-tank thermocline. Heat exchangers contribute to 50 to 70% of the TOTAL cost of the power plant. Could yield a direct cost reduction in the construction of solar plants Possibly making it more competitive in the market

Benefits of the research lower cost of plant production lower cost of plant production More competitive with fossil fueled plants More competitive with fossil fueled plants Improves the thermal efficiency. Fewer pollutants to the environment Fewer pollutants to the environment Ideas for Classroom Implementation Build a Thermocline!

Acknowledgments Dr. Cable Kurwitz Dr. Mike Schuller Dr. Frank Little Dr. Deb Banerjee Matt Bess National Science Foundation Nuclear Power Institute Texas Workforce Commission Chevron Space Engineering Research Center Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory National Renewable Energy Laboratory Department of Energy