Prototype design of an advanced ceramic receiver. Final report

Abstract

The purpose of the activities described in this report is to investigate an advanced gas receiver design concept. The advanced gas reactor design concept utilizes a translucent ceramic tube packed with a solar absorbing, porous material. A gas is pumped through the tube and is heated to a high temperature by direct solar energy incident on the tube surface. The basic energy exchange mechanisms are the transfer of the incoming solar flux through the translucent tube, the absorption of the solar energy by the packing material, and the convective transfer of the absorbed solar energy from the packing material to the gas. The approach taken for this activity was to develop a conceptual design of a commercial size receiver, investigate critical design elements of the commercial receiver, develop a preliminary design of a prototype, and identify the appropriate facility for testing the prototype. In order to develop the conceptual design of the commercial size receiver a thermo/hydraulic numerical model of the tube was devised. This model yields predictions of the thermal performance of the tube along with estimates of the tube pressure drops. A detailed description of the model is given in section IIIA of this report. Using the model it was possible to establish an optimum tube diameter and length for a commercial size receiver. With the tube dimensions known it was then possible to perform design studies to determine tube stresses and attachment schemes.