The relationship between the viscosity and the temperature follows an Arrhenius model. The results showed in general a Newtonian behaviour of the nanofluids with independency of the rheometer configuration. The impact of the salt purity (refined or industrial grade), the nanoparticle concentration (0.5–1.5 wt%) and the rheometer measuring configuration (coaxial cylinder or parallel plate) are examined. The evolution of these nanofluids viscosity as a function of the shear rate (1–1000 s −1) at a temperature range of 250–400 ☌ was measured and analysed. This article concerns the rheological behaviour of nanofluids made of Solar Salt (mass percentage at 60% NaNO 3 – 40% KNO 3) as the base fluid and silica or alumina nanoparticles as additives. The Zetasizer Nano’s high performance electrophoretic light scattering capabilities are allowing researchers to. There have been reports on increased specific heat due to the addition of nanoparticles, however, there is a lack of comprehensive information on other essential properties affecting the heat transfer, such as the viscosity. Researchers at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University London (QMUL), are using a Malvern Instruments Zetasizer Nano to provide particle size and charge data that is being used in the development of innovative hydrogel matrices for 3D cell culture.
Solar Salt-based nanofluids have attracted significant scientific interest in recent years due to their improved thermal properties, making them strong candidates as thermal energy storage materials and/or heat transfer fluids in CSP plants.