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U.S. Department of Energy
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Utilization of heavy fill gases in annular solar receiver geometries for heat loss reduction

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5962843

Analytical and experimental work has investigated reducing thermal conduction and natural convection heat losses in annular solar receiver geometries using high molecular weight fill gases. Gases analyzed in a Sandia Laboratories prototype receiver design included nitrogen, argon, krypton, xenon, sulfur hexafluoride, and Freon C-318. Experimental results indicate that high molecular weight monatomic gases can reduce receiver heat loss by nearly 50%, comparable to annulus gas evacuation to the 5.0 to 5.0 x 10/sup -1/ Pa range. Computer simulation studies show that heavy gas utilization in the annular space can improve overall collector performance by 4.5 to 13.5%, depending upon the gas and annulus pressure.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
5962843
Report Number(s):
SAND-79-0726C; CONF-791205-6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English