Thermodynamic properties of LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3–2KNO3·Mg(NO3)2 system

A novel low melting eutectic salt was predicted in the LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3–2KNO3·Mg(NO3)2 quaternary system using thermodynamic modeling. The melting point of the eutectic salt was predicted to be 374.90 K. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to experimentally determine the melting point and specific heat capacity of the quaternary system. The mixture was measured to be completely melted at 373.90 ± 0.78 K which is in an excellent agreement with the predicted value. The measured heat capacity data as function of temperature are fit to polynomial function. Subsequently, the thermodynamic properties such as enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energies of this novel quaternary eutectic salt were deduced as function of temperature.

► Novel LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3–2KNO3·Mg(NO3)2 quaternary system was developed. ► The melting point of the salt mixture was determined. ► The heat capacity of the salt mixture was determined. ► The enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energies as function of temperature were deduced.