An experimental examination of a helically coiled conical cavity receiver with Scheffler dish concentrator in terms of energy and exergy performance

Abstract

In this paper, the thermal performance of a helically coiled conical cavity receiver is investigated under actuation radiation conditions with a 16 m2 parabolic Scheffler dish concentrator. Under three different radiation scenarios, the receiver thermal energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and overall heat transfer coefficient are investigated. Water is employed as a heat transfer fluid, and the receiver is tested at a flow rate of 2.5 L per minute in a temperature range of 30–100 °C. During the stagnation test, the receiver's maximum stagnation temperature was recorded as 395 °C for an incoming beam radiation of 654 W/m2, which demonstrates the receiver's ability to generate pressurised steam. The overall heat loss coefficient calculated from the stagnation test is 116 W/m2-K. The heat transfer fluid input and output temperature differences, as well as incoming beam radiation, are found to have a significant impact on the receiver's energy and energy efficiency. Under maximum beam radiation conditions during the second experiment (672 W/m2), the average thermal energy efficiency and exergy efficiency were determined to be 70.20% and 8.69%, respectively. Based on the findings, this receiver has the potential to be employed in temperature applications up to 100 °C and above for steam generation under pressurised conditions.