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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Heat transfer modeling of the IEA/SSPS (International Energy Agency/Small Solar Power Systems) volumetric receiver

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5016468

A wire-pack volumetric receiver was tested in 1987 in Almeria, Spain, by the International Energy Agency/Small Solar Power Systems (IEA/SSPS). 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 and comparisons to experimental data are presented. The model allows an absorber design to be thermally characterized and optimized based on solar energy transfer characteristics and temperature distributions in the receiver. Model predictions of receiver power and efficiency are generally higher than the test results (operational modifications are believed to have produced nonideal conditions), but trends are consistent with experimental data. 12 refs., 5 figs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5016468
Report Number(s):
SAND-87-2619C; CONF-880724-15; ON: DE88007589
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English