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Thermophysical Properties of Molten Salts for Thermal Energy Storage

Institute
Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik (TUM-ED)
Type
Semester Thesis /
Content
 
Description

Background

Molten salts are widely used as thermal energy storage media in concentrated solar power, industrial waste-heat recovery and high-temperature energy systems. Their performance depends strongly on properties such as melting temperature, heat capacity, density, viscosity, thermal conductivity and thermal stability.

Different salt families, including nitrate, nitrite, chloride and carbonate salts, are suitable for different operating temperatures and applications. However, relevant property data are often scattered across the literature and difficult to compare directly.

Objectives

This project aims to develop a structured overview of molten salts for thermal energy storage.

The student will:

  1. Review commonly used and emerging molten-salt systems.
  2. Collect and compare key thermophysical properties from literature.
  3. Analyse the suitability of salt systems for different storage scenarios.
  4. Consider practical factors such as thermal stability, corrosion, cost and material compatibility.
  5. Create comparative figures, tables and a salt-selection map.

Methods

  • Literature review and data extraction
  • Data processing and visualisation using Python, MATLAB or Excel
  • Comparison of salt systems under consistent conditions
  • Development of property maps and selection criteria

The work will be connected to ongoing experimental research on molten-salt thermal energy storage at the Chair of Thermodynamics.

Requirements
  • Student in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics or a related field
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • Interest in renewable energy and thermal energy storage
  • Experience with Python, MATLAB or Excel is beneficial
  • Prior knowledge of molten salts is helpful but not required
Possible start
immediately
Contact
M.Sc. Jun Zheng
Room: 5507.EG.728
Phone: +49 89 289 16525
jun.zhengtum.de