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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Edge stresses in spherical-shell solar receivers

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6325237
The suitability of using spherical silicon carbide shells as heat exchangers in solar energy receivers is investigated. The responses of several such shells to the required thermal and pressure loads are examined quantitatively. Shells of different edge diameters, depth, and thicknesses are considered. Numerical data are presented which describe the maximum tensile and compressive stresses arising from heat-transfer requirements and the shells' nominal diurnal temperature cycle. These data describe the stresses resulting from a range of edge conditions. Relatively simple minimum-stress boundary conditions are identified. The characteristics of a pressure seal and edge-support mechanism that permit these minimum-stress boundary conditions to be realized are discussed. The temperature of the middle surface of each shell and the temperature gradient through its thickness are assumed to be uniform over the entire shell. Two design approaches avoid large deviations from the minimum-stress boundary conditions: (1) hemispherical shells can be freely supported; and (2) shallow shells can be restrained by a clamp that accommodates changes in the diameter and rotation of a shell's edge. These designs are compatible with minimizing the effects of thermal transients whose time scale is substantially shorter than the diurnal cycle.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Lexington (USA). Lincoln Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-78ET21015
OSTI ID:
6325237
Report Number(s):
DOE/ET/21015-11; ON: DE81029713
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English