Experimental study and thermal analysis of a tubular pressurized air receiver. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chu, Shunzhou; Bai, Fengwu; Zhang, Xiliang; Yang, Bei; Cui, Zhiying; Nie, Fuliang
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 125(2018)
• Page Start: 413
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Concentrated solar power -- Tubular pressurized air receiver -- Experimental research -- Thermal analysis; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.02.125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Pressurized air receivers potentially used in concentrated solar power plants are being developed and studied to achieve higher systemic efficiency from solar to electricity. In this article, a novel receiver with double spiral tubes coiled into conical type was proposed and fabricated. The design shows a bending limitation of a diameter of 60 mm in the bottom of the receiver. Some experimental tests were conducted under a solar furnace in the real weather condition. The results reveal that this kind of receiver could obtain high-temperature outlet air at 908 °C with relatively low direct normal irradiation (DNI) of around 785 W/m 2 . Based on the comparisons of the outcomes of 9 test cases, it could be concluded that the outlet air temperature is mainly dominated by the value of DNI, while the pressure drop is determined by both DNI and mass flow rate of the air. Besides, the thermal inertia of the receiver demonstrates benefits for stable output and quick recovery induced by small adjustments in the real operation process. All of these results and analysis provide a helpful reference for validation, optimization and operational strategies for this kind of pressurized air receiver. Highlights: A pressurized air receiver with double spiral tubes coiled into conical shape was designed and manufactured. Some experiments were conducted in real meteorological conditions in a solar furnace system. The maximum outlet air temperature was 908 °C with DNI of around 785 W/m 2 . The thermo-physical properties and operational phenomena were obtained and analyzed.