Thermal conductivity of the ternary eutectic LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3 salt mixture in the solid state using a simple inverse method

Low melting point eutectic salt mixtures are developed as potential candidate for thermal energy storage applications. Thermal conductivity of the ternary eutectic LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3 salt mixture in the solid state was determined using a simple inverse method. The inverse method was verified for two metal alloys and a HITEC® heat transfer salt, and the thermal conductivities were in excellent agreement with those of the literature data. Thermal conductivity of the ternary eutectic salt mixture in the solid state showed a non-linear behavior with temperature.

► Thermal conductivity of ternary eutectic in the LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3 system was determined. ► A simple inverse method was used in determining the thermal conductivity in the solid state. ► Excellent agreement in solid state for two metal alloys and HITEC® heat transfer salt was attained. ► Thermal conductivity of the eutectic in solid state showed non-linear behavior with temperature. ► Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity of the LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3 eutectic was presented.