Thermal characteristics of grid flat-plate heat receiver in a solar power-tower system. (25th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Mingsheng; Zhou, Ruiwen; Zhao, Juan; Ling, Xiang; Liu, Changtian
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 190(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-25
• Subjects: Heat receiver -- Isothermal performance -- Liquid sodium -- Recirculation grid -- Solar power-tower; CSP concentrating solar power -- FPHR flat-plate heat receiver -- FS full scale -- GHG greenhouse gas -- HP heat pipe -- HTF heat transfer fluid -- LFR linear Fresnel-reflector -- LM liquid metal -- MSEE Molten Salt Electrical Experiment -- PTC parabolic-trough collector -- SLPM standard liters per minute -- SPD solar parabolic-dish -- SPT solar power-tower -- STP standard temperature and pressure -- S-CO2 supercritical CO2; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: A novel grid flat-plate heat receiver for the SPT system is proposed. Isothermal performance is improved by the micro heat pipe cycles. Recirculation grid forms a flowing "sodium pool" in micro cycle. Heat flux and air mass flow have an impact on the performance of grid FPHR. The compressed air outlet temperature is raised to above 790.4 °C. Abstract: Thermal stress caused by the uneven temperature of the heating surface is a key factor leading to the failure of heat receiver in a solar power-tower system, and other thermal characteristics would also affect the ability of the system. Therefore, the thermal characteristics of a novel flat-plate heat receiver that uses the recirculation grid to form many micro heat pipe cycles are experimentally studied in this paper. The results indicate that the grid flat-plate heat receiver can be successfully started-up within 456 s, the compressed air outlet temperature can exceed 790.4 °C, and the efficiency of the grid flat-plate heat receiver can reach 83.8%, demonstrating the outstanding heat transfer performance of the grid flat-plate heat receiver. Moreover, the heating surface exhibits the excellent isothermal performance (<41.64 °C) with the maximum temperature reduced by approximately 76.04 °C. Flowing "sodium pool" is formed in each micro cycle when the heat receiver is working, generating a positive effect on the isothermal performance and maximum temperature reduction of the heating surface. Additionally, the isothermal performance is influenced by the synthetic effects of heat flux and air mass flow. This work will contribute to the further development of the heat receiver used in a solar power-tower system.