Dustin MeauxDustin MeauxLouise ISDLouise ISD

Louise High SchoolLouise High School

Faculty Mentor: Faculty Mentor: Dr: Cable Kurwitz Dr: Cable Kurwitz

Space Engineering Research Center and Space Engineering Research Center and Interphase Transport Phenomena Interphase Transport Phenomena

LaboratoryLaboratory

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?What are we doing? • The project is an attempt to add nanoparticles to The project is an attempt to add nanoparticles to

various solids and fluids to enhance the thermal various solids and fluids to enhance the thermal propertiesproperties

• Based on previous work with nanoparticles and Based on previous work with nanoparticles and water. water.

• This research is a combination of Mechanical and This research is a combination of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. Nuclear Engineering.

Why research is being done?Why research is being done?• This project serves the Department of Energy, the This project serves the Department of Energy, the

National Renewable Energy Lab, and any National Renewable Energy Lab, and any company or corporation with an interest in company or corporation with an interest in thermal storage and advanced material. thermal storage and advanced material.

• Can lead to fewer materials in solar plants, which Can lead to fewer materials in solar plants, which then transfers to cost efficiency.then transfers to cost efficiency.

• It can also offset cost of fossil fuels and hazards It can also offset cost of fossil fuels and hazards to the environment.to the environment.

ProcedureProcedure1.1. Create material –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 Reduce Contamination of lab and of material being

createdcreated

2. Addition of nanoparticles - 2. Addition of nanoparticles - • add nanoparticles to eutectic (carbonate salt) 1% add nanoparticles to eutectic (carbonate salt) 1%

by mass. 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 10

3. Sonication – 3. Sonication – • Once in solution, it was sonicated for two hours in Once in solution, it was sonicated for two hours in

order to homogenize. 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?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.

Generation SideInput Side

Filler

Storage Material

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 researchBenefits of the research lower cost of plant productionlower cost of plant production More competitive with fossil fueled More competitive with fossil fueled

plantsplants Improves the thermal efficiency. Fewer pollutants to the environmentFewer pollutants to the environment

Ideas for Classroom Implementation

Build a Thermocline!

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsDr. Cable KurwitzDr. Cable KurwitzDr. Mike SchullerDr. Mike SchullerDr. Frank LittleDr. Frank Little

Dr. Deb BanerjeeDr. Deb BanerjeeMatt BessMatt Bess

National Science Foundation National Science Foundation Nuclear Power Institute Nuclear Power Institute

Texas Workforce CommissionTexas Workforce CommissionChevronChevron

Space Engineering Research CenterSpace Engineering Research CenterInterphase Transport Phenomena LaboratoryInterphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory

National Renewable Energy LaboratoryNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryDepartment of EnergyDepartment of Energy