Power efficiency for very high temperature solar thermal cavity receivers
This invention is an improved solar energy cavity receiver for exposing materials and components to high temperatures. The receiver includes a housing having an internal reflective surface defining a cavity and having an inlet for admitting solar radiation thereto. A photothermal absorber is positioned in the cavity to receive radiation from the inlet. A reflective baffle is positioned between the absorber and the inlet to severely restrict the re-radiation of energy through the inlet. The front surface of the baffle defines a narrow annulus with the internal reflective surface of the housing. The front surface of the baffle is contoured to reflect incoming radiation onto the internal surface of the housing, from which it is reflected through the annulus and onto the front surface of the absorber. The back surface of the baffle intercepts infrared radiation from the front of the absorber. With this arrangement, a high percentage of the solar power input is retained in the cavity; thus, high internal temperatures are attained.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4479485
- OSTI ID:
- 5733925
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 14 Apr 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-368245
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Improved power efficiency for very-high-temperature solar-thermal-cavity receivers
1-MWth bench-model solar-cavity-receiver steam generator build and test