Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage

Martinek, Janna; Wendelin, Timothy; Ma, Zhiwen

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.051

Title: Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage

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Abstract

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can provide dispatchable power with a thermal energy storage capability for increased renewable-energy grid penetration. Particle-based CSP systems permit higher temperatures, and thus, potentially higher solar-to-electric efficiency than state-of-the-art molten-salt heat-transfer systems. This paper describes a detailed numerical analysis framework for estimating the performance of a novel, geometrically complex, enclosed particle receiver design. The receiver configuration uses arrays of small tubular absorbers to collect and subsequently transfer solar energy to a flowing particulate medium. The enclosed nature of the receiver design renders it amenable to either an inert heat-transfer medium, or a reactive heat-transfer medium that requires a controllable ambient environment. The numerical analysis framework described in this study is demonstrated for the case of thermal reduction of CaCr_0.1Mn_0.9O_3-$$\delta$$ for thermochemical energy storage. The modeling strategy consists of Monte Carlo ray tracing for absorbed solar-energy distributions from a surround heliostat field, computational fluid dynamics modeling of small-scale local tubular arrays, surrogate response surfaces that approximately capture simulated tubular array performance, a quasi-two-dimensional reduced-order description of counter-flow reactive solids and purge gas, and a radiative exchange model applied to embedded-cavity structures at the size scale of the full receiver. In this work we apply the numerical analysis strategy to a single receiver configuration, but the framework can be generically applicable to alternative enclosed designs. In conclusion, we assess sensitivity of receiver performance to surface optical properties, heat-transfer coefficients, solids outlet temperature, and purge-gas feed rates, and discuss the significance of model assumptions and results for future receiver development.

Authors:

Martinek, Janna ^[1]; Wendelin, Timothy ^[1];

^[1]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Publication Date:: Thu Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2018

Research Org.:: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

OSTI Identifier:: 1436227

Alternate Identifier(s):: OSTI ID: 1548466

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5500-70565
Journal ID: ISSN 0038-092X

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; EE0001586; EE0006537; AC36-08-GO28308

Resource Type:: Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:: Solar Energy

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 166; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: Elsevier

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 14 SOLAR ENERGY; 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; concentrating solar power; heat transfer; modeling; particle; thermochemical energy storage

Citation Formats


                    Martinek, Janna, Wendelin, Timothy, and Ma, Zhiwen. Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage.  United States: N. p., 2018. 
Web.  doi:10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.051.

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                    Martinek, Janna, Wendelin, Timothy, & Ma, Zhiwen. Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.051

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                    Martinek, Janna, Wendelin, Timothy, and Ma, Zhiwen. Thu .  
"Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.051.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1436227.

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@article{osti_1436227,

  title        = {Predictive performance modeling framework for a novel enclosed particle receiver configuration and application for thermochemical energy storage},

  author       = {Martinek, Janna and Wendelin, Timothy and Ma, Zhiwen},

  abstractNote = {Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can provide dispatchable power with a thermal energy storage capability for increased renewable-energy grid penetration. Particle-based CSP systems permit higher temperatures, and thus, potentially higher solar-to-electric efficiency than state-of-the-art molten-salt heat-transfer systems. This paper describes a detailed numerical analysis framework for estimating the performance of a novel, geometrically complex, enclosed particle receiver design. The receiver configuration uses arrays of small tubular absorbers to collect and subsequently transfer solar energy to a flowing particulate medium. The enclosed nature of the receiver design renders it amenable to either an inert heat-transfer medium, or a reactive heat-transfer medium that requires a controllable ambient environment. The numerical analysis framework described in this study is demonstrated for the case of thermal reduction of CaCr0.1Mn0.9O3-$\delta$ for thermochemical energy storage. The modeling strategy consists of Monte Carlo ray tracing for absorbed solar-energy distributions from a surround heliostat field, computational fluid dynamics modeling of small-scale local tubular arrays, surrogate response surfaces that approximately capture simulated tubular array performance, a quasi-two-dimensional reduced-order description of counter-flow reactive solids and purge gas, and a radiative exchange model applied to embedded-cavity structures at the size scale of the full receiver. In this work we apply the numerical analysis strategy to a single receiver configuration, but the framework can be generically applicable to alternative enclosed designs. In conclusion, we assess sensitivity of receiver performance to surface optical properties, heat-transfer coefficients, solids outlet temperature, and purge-gas feed rates, and discuss the significance of model assumptions and results for future receiver development.},

  doi          = {10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.051},

  journal      = {Solar Energy},

  number       = C,

  volume       = 166,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Thu Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2018},

  month        = {Thu Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2018}

}

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