Thermophysical properties and application of LiNO3–H2O working fluid

Vapor pressure (293.15 K-423.15 K, 50%–70%), specific heat capacity (303.15 K-373.15 K, 45%–60%) and specific enthalpy (303.15 K −373.15 K, 45%–60%) of LiNO3–H2O working fluid were measured. Dissolution heat of LiNO3 at 294.15 K was also determined. The corrosion behaviors of carbon steel, stainless steel 304 in LiBr and LiNO3 solutions were investigated at the temperature of 453.15 K, and the corrosivity of LiNO3 solution was obviously less severe than that of LiBr solution. Based on the measured data, performances of an absorption heat pump cycle based on LiNO3–H2O has been investigated and compared with the LiBr–H2O heat pump cycle under the same conditions. The results show that the cycle based on LiNO3–H2O has an advantage of 6.3 °C in the temperature grade of driving heat source against that based on LiBr–H2O, while the COP based on LiNO3–H2O is slightly higher than that based on LiBr–H2O.