Direct absorption receiver
This report describes research on several technical issues associated with the molten-salt direct absorption receiver concept. In particular, we consider the hydrodynamic stability of a long, liquid film, the ejection of droplets from the film, the convective and radiative heat-transfer mechanisms within the film and between the film and the support surface, and the stability of the liquid film with respect to thermocapillary breakdown in the presence of high flux and temperature gradients. The research showed that very small droplets originate from the bursting of turbulent eddies on the liquid surface and larger droplets begin to be ejected where the wave growth begins. The rate of droplet ejection increases exponentially along the flow length. Measuring the convective heat transfer between the nitrate salt film and the support surface showed that very high convective heat-transfer coefficients result, indicating that adding a dopant to darken the salt film may not be needed. These coefficients can be predicted reliably with existing heat-transfer correlations. Using a dimensionless scaling law, we found that the film should not be susceptible to thermocapillary breakdown; however, additional data at high Reynold numbers are needed to verify this. 38 refs., 31 figs., 4 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 7078800
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TR-253-3438; ON: DE90000311
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140702* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
ABSORPTION
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
CHALCOGENIDES
COBALT COMPOUNDS
COBALT OXIDES
CONVERSION
DATA ACQUISITION
DOCUMENT TYPES
DROPLETS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MECHANICS
MOLTEN SALTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
REYNOLDS NUMBER
SALTS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER