Solar test of an integrated sodium reflux heat-pipe receiver/reactor for thermochemical energy transport
In October 1987, a chemical reactor integrated into a sodium reflux heat-pipe receiver was tested in the solar furnace at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. The reaction carried out was the carbon dioxide reforming of methane. This reaction is one of the leading candidates for thermochemical energy transport either within a distributed solar receiver system or over long distances. The Schaeffer Solar Furnace consists of a 96 square meter heliostat and a 7.3 meter diameter dish concentrator with a 65-degree rim angle and a 3.5 meter focal length. Measurements have shown a peak concentration ratio of over 10,000 and a total power of 15 kW at an insolation of 800 w/square meter. The receiver/reactor contains seven catalyst-filled tubes inside an evacuated metal box containing sodium. The front surface of this box serves as the solar absorber of the receiver. In operation, concentrated sunlight heats the 1/8-inch Inconel plate and vaporizes sodium from the wire-mesh wick attached to the back of it. The sodium vapor condenses on the reactor tubes, releases its latent heat, and returns by gravity to the wick. Test results and areas for future development are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Weizmann Inst. of Science, Rehovoth (Israel); Houston Univ., TX (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 7050292
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-88-1255C; CONF-880655-6; ON: DE88012332
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. international symposium on research, development and applications of solar thermal technology, Santa Fe, NM, USA, 13 Jun 1988; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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