Solar thermal fluids – why it is so important to choose the right fluid

Abstract

In 2011 the global heat transfer (HTF) market was estimated to be worth $1,684 and is projected to be worth $2,557 million by 2017. The generation of energy from the solar sector is one area that is growing with a projected output of 630 GW by 2050. In the concentrated closer power (CSP) sector, the most commonly used HTF is the eutectic mixture of biphenyl diphenyl oxide (BDO). The chemistry of this fluid means that CSP plants can operate up to 400 degrees Celsius. However, this is not the only key feature of a HTF as other parameters need to be considered. This article discusses the key features of a BDO fluid.