Measurement of the thermal conductivity of molten KNO₃ and NaNO₃ by the transient hot-wire method with ceramic-coated probes

Absolute measurements have been made of the thermal conductivity of molten salts by the transient hot-wire method with newly developed ceramic-coated probes. The measurements have been performed on pure NaNO₃ in the temperature range 311-318°C, and on KNO₃ in the range 349-439°C. The experimental data have an estimated accuracy of ±3%. In comparison with the present results, most of the previous experimental data obtained by steady-state methods show higher values, which may be due to the presence of radiation and natural convection.