Solar receiver experiment for the space station Freedom Brayton engine

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Solar Energy Engineering; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2930752· OSTI ID:5792693

Strumpf, H J; Coombs, M G ^[1]

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1. Allied-Signal Aerospace Co., Torrance, CA (USA). AiResearch Los Angeles Div.

This paper reports on an experimental investigation conducted to develop fabrication procedures and acquire test data for a heat receiver assembly (HRA) in support of the design and development effort for the Brayton engine solar receiver for the NASA space station freedom solar dynamic option. The HRA configuration is a cylindrical receiver lined with tubes; each tube is surrounded by phase change material (PCM). The Brayton cycle working fluid flows inside the tubes. The PCM surrounding the tubes, a eutectic mixture of LiF and CaF{sub 2}, is contained in a series of sealed metallic containment canisters. During periods of sunlight, heat is transferred through the PCM to the Brayton cycle working fluid; during periods of eclipse, the PCM gives up its heat to the working fluid. A section of a full-size receiver tube was fabricated, assembled, and tested. Performance of the receiver tube qualitatively validates the expected receiver performance. Over 4500 cycles (of approximately 91-min duration) had been completed as of June 15, 1989.

• OSTI ID: 5792693
• Journal Information: Journal of Solar Energy Engineering; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Solar Energy Engineering; (USA) Vol. 112:1; ISSN JSEED; ISSN 0199-6231
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
BRAYTON CYCLE
DESIGN
MATERIALS
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
PERFORMANCE
PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES