New solar thermal receiver utilizing small particles

Conference · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:6033069

Hunt, A J

A new type of solar thermal receiver is being developed that utilizes a dispersion of very small particles suspended in a gas to absorb concentrated sunlight. An open Brayton cycle heat engine utilizing a Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver (SPHER) operates by injecting a very small mass of submicron carbon particles into the compressed gas stream before it enters the receiver. The particles absorb the radiation, release the heat to the surrounding gas, and are vaporized. The phase change (vaporization) stabilizes the output temperature and eliminates the particles from the gas stream before it passes into the exhaust turbine. Two receiver designs have been investigated and both have theoretical efficiencies greater than 90% at output gas temperatures of 1000/sup 0/C. This design gives thermal cycle efficiencies in excess of 40%. Calculations of the optical and thermal processes have been performed and the concept has been demonstrated in the laboratory.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6033069
• Report Number(s): LBL-9317; CONF-790541-42
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700 -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
BRAYTON CYCLE
CARBON
COMPRESSED GASES
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EVAPORATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
NONMETALS
OPEN-CYCLE SYSTEMS
OPENINGS
OPERATION
OPTICS
PARTICLES
PERFORMANCE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SUSPENSIONS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WINDOWS