Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Scheffler Concentrator Receiver for Steam Generation Using Phase Change Material

Abstract

This paper proposes a design of receiver of a scheffler dish solar concentrator which uses the phase change material to store the thermal energy. For this, water is used for direct steam generation from the receiver. The proposed model consists of a phase change material (PCM) present in between the inner and outer cylinder of the copper receiver. A binary mixture commonly known as solar salt (60% NaNO 3 -40% KNO 3 ) is used as PCM for analysis. It helps to get rid of fluctuations due to sudden weather changes. Scheffler solar concentrator of 16 m 2 area with a fixed focus is used to concentrate the solar radiations to the receiver. The purpose of this study is to see the effect of PCM on steam generation and compare it with the results obtained without the use of solar salt in the receiver experimentally as well as numerically using Finite Element Method. Numerical analysis was performed using Transient thermal analysis in Ansys-16 and experimental investigations were performed. Results showed that the use of PCM in the receiver not only increases the mass flow rate of the steam but also the duration of steam generation by storing the thermal energy.