Heat Transfer Modeling of the IEA/SSPS Volumetric Receiver

Abstract

During the summer and fall of 1987 in Almeria, Spain, a wire-pack receiver was tested by the International Energy Agency/Small Solar Power Systems (IEA/SSPS). The basic operation of the receiver is that: air is drawn through several layers of stainless steel wire screen; concentrated solar flux is directed on the face of the screen pack; the oxidized wires absorb the solar energy; and heat is transferred to the air flowing through the screen. Although the experiment goal was strictly proof-of-concept and was not receiver characterization, modeling efforts were initiated to help understand the experimental results. The steady-state performance of the receiver is modeled using the fact that the net solar and infrared radiative energy absorbed by each screen layer must be transferred to the air by convection. Basic performance trends and typical calculations of receiver efficiency are given. Model predictions and experimentally measured temperatures and flow rates are compared. Model predictions of receiver power and efficiency are generally higher than the test results (operational modifications of the receiver absorber as tested are believed to have produced nonideal conditions), but trends are consistent with experimental data.

Experimental Characterization of a High-Temperature, High-Flux, Solar Volumetric Receiver

“…(1) and (2), the transmittance of a single screen (T t ) can be solved for iteratively if the transmittance of a given number of multiple screens (T m ) is known.…”

“…For a more exhaustive literature review of both thermal and chemical reaction solar volumetric receivers, see Hellmuth [5]. The experimental work of this study had multiple purposes, including: (1) proof of concept and measurement of overall receiver efficiency, (2) measurement of relevant temperatures and radiation fluxes to better understand receiver operation, and (3) support of future theoretical model development by determination of model input parameters.…”

“…Initial testing and modeling efforts for discrete-layer wire mesh VARs are described by Skocypec et al [1]. Chavez et al [2] reported on the proof-of-concept testing of a 0.9-m-diameter discrete-layer wire mesh absorber.…”

Optimized volumetric solar receiver: Thermal performance prediction and experimental validation

“…Subsequently, a new absorber using a porous ceramic material was designed by the University of Colorado and produced as prototype by Sandia National Laboratories [3]. The absorber structure was a foam made out of aluminium oxide, coated with black paint in order to increase the solar absorption.…”

Modeling of a Solar Receiver for Superheating Sulfuric Acid

“…Early numerical heat transfer analysis of volumetric solar absorbers dates back to analysis of the IEA/SSPS receiver for air heating [12] and the CAESAR project for methane reforming [13], where model predictions were compared with experimental results. A more recent study by Wu et al included radiative heat transfer coupled to local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) energy conservation in a volumetric absorber [14], demonstrating the non-equilibrium effects and model utility with sensitivity studies to various absorber parameters.…”