Numerical investigation of the isothermal flow field and particle deposition behaviour in a rotating fluidized bed solar receiver

Abstract

A numerical analysis of the isothermal flow field within a directly irradiated Rotating Fluidized Bed Receiver (RFBR), is presented to provide a systematic assessment of the influence of key receiver control parameters, namely fluidized bed rotational speed and radial fluidizing gas velocity, on the flow field inside the receiver and particle deposition onto the receiver window. To achieve these aims, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the RFBR was developed and coupled with Discrete Phase Model (DPM) to analyse the fluid flow and particle trajectory in the receiver cavity due to systematic variations in the key control parameters. The fluid flow modelling approach was partially verified by comparing the numerical predictions with previously published experimental flow measurements in a rotating vortex flow device that is geometrically similar to the RFBR. Using the reported modelling approach, the sensitivity of the flow field and particle deposition to the variations in the key control parameters was determined. Flow features and physical mechanisms linked to particle deposition onto the receiver window were identified with the view to better understand the operation of the RFBR and determine suitable operating regimes that achieve a low risk of particle deposition.