On the dust deposition and its effects on heat transfer in absorber pores of an open volumetric air receiver. (15th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Upadhyay, Vikas K.; Singh, Gurveer; Chandra, Laltu; Bandyopadhyay, Bibek
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 211(2020)
• Page Start: 1206
• Page End: 1213
• Publication Date: 2020-11-15
• Subjects: Dust deposition -- Absorber pore -- Open volumetric air receiver -- Semi-analytical approach -- Computational fluid dynamics; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.10.059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: Transport of an isolated, dust particle in a circular, straight, absorber pore is analyzed. The effect of dust accumulation, in an absorber pore, on the heat transfer is analyzed. Analysis show that dust deposition, in a straight pore, may be mitigated by applying heat-flux. Dust accumulation is found to be detrimental, for heat transfer in an absorber pore. Abstract: The deposition of dust in the absorber pores of an open volumetric air receiver (OVAR) offers a significant challenge in arid deserts. In this paper, to address this problem, two aspects are investigated, (i) the transport of an isolated dust particle in a straight, circular absorber pore, for a steady, thermally-hydraulically developing, laminar flow, and (ii) the consequences on heat transfer due to dust particles accumulation, in a straight, circular, absorber pore. The first problem is investigated with a semi-analytical approach and the second problem makes use of computational fluid dynamics simulations. The finding shows (a) a heat flux may be beneficial, for mitigating the dust deposition in a, straight, circular, clean absorber pore, (b) dust deposition in a straight, circular, absorber pore is detrimental to heat transfer, which may lead to its failure, (c) the thermal development length will be reduced for the dust deposited pore in comparison to a clean pore. The findings reveal a way of mitigating dust deposition in a clean pore, and the need for a cleaning strategy of dust deposited absorber pore, for sustainable operation of an open volumetric air receiver.