HEAP: heat energy analysis program. A computer model simulating solar receivers

Technical Report · Mon Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6146695· OSTI ID:6146695

Lansing, F L

Thermal design of solar receivers is commonly accomplished via approximate models, where the receiver is treated as an isothermal box with lumped quantities of heat losses to the surroundings by radiation, conduction and convection. These approximate models, though adequate for preliminary design purposes, are not detailed enough to distinguish between different receiver designs, or to predict transient performance under variable solar flux, ambient temperatures, etc. A computer code has been written for this purpose and is given the name HEAP, an acronym for Heat Energy Analysis Program. HEAP has a basic structure that fits a general heat transfer problem, but with specific features that are custom-made for solar receivers. The code is written in MBASIC computer language. This document explains the detailed methodology followed in solving the heat transfer problem, and includes a program flow chart, an explanation of input and output tables, and an example of the simulation of a cavity-type solar receiver.

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6146695
• Report Number(s): DOE/JPL/1060-13; JPL-PUB-79-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONVECTION
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLOWSHEETS
FLUID FLOW
H CODES
HEAT LOSSES
HEAT TRANSFER
LOSSES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POWER PLANTS
RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER
SIMULATION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMAL CONDUCTION
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
TRANSIENTS