An overview of advanced central receiver concepts
Sandia National Laboratories is investigating advanced central receiver concepts as part of the US Department of Energy solar thermal research program. In the last 12 years many studies and test programs have been carried out to develop and demonstrate the viability of central receiver power plants using tube-receivers with molten-nitrate-salt and steam. These receivers are currently the state-of-the-art. However, studies of advanced receiver concepts, such as the molten nitrate salt direct absorption receivers and volumetric air receivers, have shown their potential to be simple, cheaper, and have better performance than conventional tube receivers. In order to make central receivers economically competitive these advanced receiver concepts are being investigated. In a direct absorption receiver, the heat-absorbing fluid (a blackened molten nitrate salt) flows in a thin, wavy film down a flat, vertical panel (rather than through tubes) and absorbs the concentrated solar flux directly. The volumetric air receiver design uses a porous absorber, on which the solar energy is concentrated. Air flows through the absorber, convectively transferring energy from the absorber to the air. In this paper, the concepts, advantages, status, and test results of the salt-in-tube receiver, direct absorption receiver, and the volumetric receiver are discussed. 17 refs., 7 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/DP
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 7024713
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-2870C; CONF-900394--2; ON: DE90006808
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
CONVERSION
DESIGN
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
MOLTEN SALTS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SALTS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION
TESTING