A Novel design of the solar central receiver to improve the performance of the central solar power tower plant

Abstract

A novel design for a central receiver prototype was manufactured with dimensions of (50*50) cm staggered configuration using copper pipes of 9.5 mm diameter was tested to produce thermal energy from solar energy, had been analyzed numerically and experimentally. central solar tower receiver prototype was manufactured and mounted at Al-Nahrain University in Baghdad - Iraq, were high solar radiation is available. Heliostats with automated dual axes tracking systems were attained to capture the solar rays. Heliostats used to redirect the sun rays to a central receiver which is constructed using coated copper tubes to convert solar to heat and transfer it to the receiver working thermo-fluid.According to a precise design consideration presented procedure in this study, a numerical and experimental investigation was performed. Also, an automated tracking system was installed on the heliostat to govern the title and azimuth movements.The working fluid used is water. The supply tank was manufactured from plastic equipped with a digital flow meter to control flow rate to the receiver. In this study, a detailed layout, investigation for each part is shown. It’s found that optimum tower height is 4.5m, optimum heliostat horizontal distance from the tower is 7m and the offset angle is 30°. Receiver thermal performance enhanced by 6.17% from the one-row receiver and about 12.98% for the evacuated tube receiver.