Gamma-ray emission gauge for solar salt level in a tank

One of the most investigated heat transfer fluid or heat storage medium in the field of thermal solar conversion is the ‘‘solar salt”, a mixture of nitrates NaNO3/KNO3, 60/40% by weight, respectively. The content of potassium in this fluid allows exploiting the self activity of the isotope 40K to perform measurements useful for control or diagnostics of a solar plant. Here an experimental test on the noninvasive measurement of the salt level in a tank by means of gamma-ray spectrometry is shown. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved