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DOE OSTI · 3024715

Prototype Development, Testing, and Modeling for a Solar Light-Trapping Planar-Cavity Particle Receiver (LTPCR)

Ma, Zhiwen [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000337188038)·Martinek, Janna [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]·Shah, Munjal [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000261206016)·Jeong, Shin Young [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]·Djajadiwinata, Eldwin [King Saud University]·Saleh, N. [King Saud University]·Saeed, R. [King Saud University]·Al-Ansary, Hany [King Saud University]
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Abstract

Many applications for concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) technologies of high efficiency power cycles or thermochemical processes require higher operating temperatures and alternative heat transfer media. Inert solid particles for next-generation CSP and reactive gas and/or solid media for solar thermochemical processes are common options; however, these have significantly lower heat transfer capabilities than thermal oil, molten salt, or molten metal media. Conventional solar receivers operating temperatures >700 degrees Celsius face challenges including thermal performance and thermal-mechanical issues. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a novel light-trapping, planar-cavity receiver (LTPCR) that can heat solid-phase media within an enclosed receiver while maintaining a high aperture solar flux concentration for high efficiency. This paper presents progress on design, fabrication, and testing of a 100 kWt prototype receiver to demonstrate the LTPCR operability and its commercial feasibility.

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14 SOLAR ENERGY25 ENERGY STORAGE97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTINGconcentrating solar thermal powersolar receiversolid particlesthermal energy storage

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Ma, Zhiwen [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000337188038), Martinek, Janna [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)], Shah, Munjal [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000261206016), Jeong, Shin Young [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)], Djajadiwinata, Eldwin [King Saud University], Saleh, N. [King Saud University], Saeed, R. [King Saud University], Al-Ansary, Hany [King Saud University]. 2026-03-20. Prototype Development, Testing, and Modeling for a Solar Light-Trapping Planar-Cavity Particle Receiver (LTPCR). https://doi.org/10.2172/3024715

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