In the context of solar tower power, the significance of the receiver has to do with its capacity to convert sun rays into heat. This heat is then conveyed to a heat transfer fluid. The extremely high velocity of the heat transfer fluid, motivates for the use of smart geometry to simultaneously enhance the heat transfer process and strengthen the structure of the tubes. In this study, a new molten salt receiver design was numerically investigated, following the addition of square, rectangular, circular and triangular longitudinal fins, that come at various heights (w=1,2,4 and 6 mm). Molten salt was used as the heat transfer fluid that flown through the receiver tubes with the Reynolds number ranging between 14,000 and 38,000. In comparison to a smooth tube, it was observed that while the inclusion of fins led to a dip in pressure, the overall efficiency level was improved. An increase in the number of fins, led to an improvement in the heat transfer process. The use of four square fins delivered the highest heat transfer enhancement. In the use of a singular fin, a triangular fin with a height of 1 mm delivered the best heat transfer performance. For a similar flow rate and hydraulic area, the triangular fins exhibited a better heat transfer performance than the square, circular and rectangular fins. In terms of the receiver's efficiency, the triangular fins produced the heights efficiency.
This study provides a techno-financial evaluation of two sites in Malaysia: Kudat, located on the coast of the northernmost part of Sabah, the state of East Malaysia with promising wind potential, and Putrajaya in the Klang Valley region with moderate wind potential at high elevations similar to the dominant cities in Malaysia. Three small-scale wind turbines were evaluated, taking into account a nominal electrical power generation below 100 kW. The research is focused on 220 residential households. The software used to perform the evaluation was Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER). The research novelty is the examination of the non-hybrid small-scale turbines at high elevations for regions with low wind speed, such as Malaysia. Regardless of the wind farms’ financial profit, this study used the net present cost (NPC) analysis in all cases. This research demonstrates the feasibility of small-scale wind turbines mounted at high elevations for generating sufficient energy. The results indicate that in both areas, the RX-20KH3 model is the best option, and the costs of the FH-5000 and RX-20KH3 farms are proportionate for a renewable project. Furthermore, with government support, the WES80 farm could be suitable.
The solar receiver is considered the cornerstone of the solar tower power system. In particular, it receives hightemperature heat flux rays, and extracts the maximum heat energy to be transferred to the heat transfer fluid, while minimising any thermal and mechanical stresses. Reducing the solar receiver size helps to reduce the loss of spillage; consequently, the thermal stress increases. Using a solar receiver with inserted triangular longitudinal fins enhances the heat transfer as well as strengthens the receiver tube. This study aims to optimise the number of fins, heat flux aiming point, heat transfer fluid, nanoparticle effect with molten salt as the base fluid, and type of receiver material. Non-uniform heat flux with the cosine and Gaussian effects have been considered. When the number of fins (N) increases, the maximum temperature (T max ) decreases and the heat transfer is enhanced. When N ¼ 20, T max ¼ 656.4 K and when N ¼ 1, T max ¼ 683.55, while the efficiency for N ¼ 1 is greater by 3% compared to when N ¼ 20. The cosine distribution of heat flux has a higher maximum temperature than the Gaussian distribution by 29% and is 102% higher in receiver efficiency. The thermal efficiency when the heat flux is aimed at the middle point of the receiver is higher by 10% compared with a lower or upper aiming point. Using Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles with a concentration of 0.5 wt.% increases the thermal efficiency by 14% more than when using pure molten salt when Re ¼ 38000. Using liquid sodium is not required to monitor the peak heat flux, and by adding triangular fins the displacement and thermal stress are 6.5 % lower compared to a smooth receiver.
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