Reflux heat-pipe solar receivers for dish-electric systems
The feasibility of competitive, modular bulk electric power from the sun may be greatly enhanced by the use of a reflux heat pipe receiver to combine a heat engine with a paraboloidal dish concentrator. This combination represents a potential improvement over previous successful demonstrations of dish-electric technology in terms of enhanced performance, lower cost, longer life, and greater flexibility in engine design. In the reflux (i.e. gravity assisted) heat pipe receiver, concentrated solar radiation causes liquid metal (sodium, potassium, or NaK) to evaporate. The vapor flows to the engine interface heat exchanger, where it condenses and releases the latent heat. The condensate is returned to the receiver absorber by gravity (refluxing), and distributed over the surface by gravity and/or capillary forces in a wick lining the receiver. It is essentially an adaptation of heat pipe technology to the peculiar requirements of concentrated solar flux, and provides many advantages over conventional heated tub receiver technology. This overview paper describes the current status and future plans for the US Solar Thermal Program reflux receiver development program at Sandia National Laboratories. Current work includes conventional mesh wick receivers, sintered metal wicks, and pool boiler receivers. The relative design merits and concerns of the different approaches and technology development test plans are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5080580
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-2976C; CONF-880702-1; ON: DE88008671
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
ALKALI METALS
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT PIPES
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
METALS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
POTASSIUM
SODIUM
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RECEIVERS
STIRLING ENGINES