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Title: Optical properties enhancement of thermal energy media for consistently high solar absorptivity

Journal Article · · Solar Energy
 [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3];  [4]; ORCiD logo [5]; ORCiD logo [5];  [3]
  1. Advanced Materials Scientia LLC, Bothell, WA (United States); Advanced Materials Scientia LLC
  2. Advanced Materials Scientia LLC, Bothell, WA (United States)
  3. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  4. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)
  5. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

This study aimed to evaluate the optical properties of particles intended for use as thermal energy absorbers in generation 3 concentrated solar power systems. Their characterization involved UV–Vis NIR measurements with an integrating sphere for solar absorptivity, while a reflectometer was employed to measure thermal emittance. By combining absorptivity and emittance data, the solar absorption efficiency was calculated. Laser flash analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to determine thermal conductivity and specific heat. The solar absorptivity of the particles was initially measured at 0.90. After exposure to air at 1000 °C, it decreased to 0.73. However, following a reduction process, the particle recovered absorptivity of 0.90. The thermal aging and recovery were repeated multiple times, consistently achieving an absorptivity of 0.90. The thermal conductivity of the particles ranged from 0.50 to 0.88 W/(m-K). Solar absorptivity was found to be influenced by the types of iron oxide present in the particles. Particles with a predominance of hematite exhibited decreased solar absorptivity, while those containing magnetite, wüstite, and iron showed increased absorptivity. The estimated cost of the developed particles was more than ten times lower than that of current products. Given that component costs significantly impact the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), this price reduction corresponded to an 8 % decrease in LCOE compared to other products. The low-cost thermal energy media show great promise for contributing to a reduced LCOE in the third generation of concentrating solar power systems.

Research Organization:
Advanced Materials Scientia LLC, Bothell, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Office of SBIR/STTR Programs (SBIR/STTR); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
Contributing Organization:
University of Washington; University of Utah
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0021751
OSTI ID:
2349327
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2370986
Journal Information:
Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: 112603 Vol. 274; ISSN 0038-092X
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (23)

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Thermal Energy Media
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