Thermal modeling of solar central receiver cavities

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3268296· OSTI ID:5855267

Skocypec, R D; Romero, V

Results are presented from a numerical model of the steady-state energy transfer in molten-salt-in-tube solar cavity receivers that includes convective energy transfer at a local (spatially resolved) level. Molten salt energy absorption and gray radiative transfer between all cavity surfaces are also included. This model is applied to the Molten Salt Subsystem Component Test Experiment (MSS/CTE) cavity receiver. Results for this receiver indicate the global (entire cavity) receiver thermal efficiency is invariant within a few percent to most parameters investigated, although front surface temperatures of the nonabsorbing walls vary considerably, and are particularly sensitive to the type of convective submodel used. Absorption efficiencies indicate the effects of the cavity enclosure environment. For all conditions investigated, tube inner wall temperatures remain under 855 K, ensuring that the salt remains chemically stable.

• Research Organization: 9511412
• OSTI ID: 5855267
• Journal Information: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 111:2; ISSN JSEED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
142000 -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
ABSORPTION
CAVITY RECEIVERS
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
CONVECTION
CONVERSION
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY ABSORPTION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLOW RATE
HEAT TRANSFER
INFORMATION
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOLTEN SALTS
NUMERICAL DATA
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTICLE MODELS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SALTS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION
STATISTICAL MODELS
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC MODEL