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Investigation of a Counter-Current Solar Particle Receiver
An alternative solar particle receiver (SPR) configuration is proposed, in which particles are falling inside a duct against a counter-current air flow. The aim of this work is to investigate the thermal performance of the receiver and to gain a better understanding of the physical phenomena taking place.
Keywords: concentrated solar power, solar particle receiver, radiative heat transfer, particle-laden flow
Using particles as heat transfer medium (HTM) for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications allows for HTM outlet temperatures exceeding 1000°C and convenient thermal energy storage by collecting the heated particles in an insulated silo. When working with a particulate phase, it is important to have control over the residence time of the particles inside the irradiated area of the solar receiver, since this has a direct influence on the average outlet temperature of the solid phase.
An alternative solar particle receiver (SPR) configuration is proposed, in which particles are falling inside a duct against a counter-current air flow. Previous experiments with a similar flow have shown that for solid volume fractions between 0.1% and 0.8%, the average falling velocity of the particle phase could be reduced by the presence of the air flow. These results hint that the residence time of the particles can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow.
The aim of this work is to investigate the thermal performance of the proposed SPR and to gain a better understanding of the physical phenomena taking place.
For the experimental investigation, a prototype of the reciver was built and assembled inside a high-flux solar simulator (HFSS). The HFSS mimics the radiation of highly concentrating solar systems and will be used to perform a campaign of irradiation tests on the receiver.
In order to better understand the physical phenomena taking place, parts of an already existing simulation are going to be combined and improved, by e.g. using an in-house Monte Carlo simulation code for modelling the irradiation coming from the HFSS.
Using particles as heat transfer medium (HTM) for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications allows for HTM outlet temperatures exceeding 1000°C and convenient thermal energy storage by collecting the heated particles in an insulated silo. When working with a particulate phase, it is important to have control over the residence time of the particles inside the irradiated area of the solar receiver, since this has a direct influence on the average outlet temperature of the solid phase. An alternative solar particle receiver (SPR) configuration is proposed, in which particles are falling inside a duct against a counter-current air flow. Previous experiments with a similar flow have shown that for solid volume fractions between 0.1% and 0.8%, the average falling velocity of the particle phase could be reduced by the presence of the air flow. These results hint that the residence time of the particles can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow. The aim of this work is to investigate the thermal performance of the proposed SPR and to gain a better understanding of the physical phenomena taking place. For the experimental investigation, a prototype of the reciver was built and assembled inside a high-flux solar simulator (HFSS). The HFSS mimics the radiation of highly concentrating solar systems and will be used to perform a campaign of irradiation tests on the receiver. In order to better understand the physical phenomena taking place, parts of an already existing simulation are going to be combined and improved, by e.g. using an in-house Monte Carlo simulation code for modelling the irradiation coming from the HFSS.
(1) Help with the experiments in the HFSS, (2) Analysis of the experimental data, (3)Improve a simulation of the SPR
(1) Help with the experiments in the HFSS, (2) Analysis of the experimental data, (3)Improve a simulation of the SPR