The R+D we are carrying out for CENER (National Center for Renewable Energies) aims to develop a robust, effective and economically competitive method for online detection and monitoring of both the presence of molecular hydrogen (H2) in the heat transfer fluids (HTFs) of parabolic trough collector solar power plants, and the thermal degradation of the HTF, with the prolonged exposure to the operational conditions. The novel method is based on a specific fluorescent sensor according to the ES2425002 patent (“Method for the detection and quantification of hydrogen in a heat transfer fluid”).
