Thermal analysis of the system KCl-LiCl by differential scanning calorimetry

Thermal analysis of the binary system KCl-LiCl in the composition range 0.368-0.812 mol fraction of LiCl was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). On the basis of the DSC curves, the experimental data for the phase-diagram, the latent heat of fusion, and the average specific heat in the liquid and solid slates are presented as a function of the composition of the mixture. The experimental results compared with literature data. The following empirical correlation between the heat of fusion (Delta H) and of compositions of the mixture in mol fraction of LiCl (x) was obtained: Delta H = 26.95 - 50.20x + 43.06 x (2) with a minimum value of 11.8 kJ(g mol)(-1) at the eutectic point of 0.587 mol fraction of LiCl at 354.4 degrees C. These results are required as basic data to develop thermal energy storage materials, based on the phase change of a molten mixture of KCl-LiCl.