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Analysis of heat and mass transfer in a porous solar thermochemical reactor

Author

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  • Ma, Tianzeng
  • Fu, Mingkai
  • Cong, Jian
  • Zhang, Xia
  • Zhang, Qiangqiang
  • Sayfieva, Khurshida F.
  • Chang, Zheshao
  • Li, Xin

Abstract

Solar thermochemistry shows great potential as a viable solution for addressing the challenge of energy storage. The design of the reactor is still challenging the development and rapid upscaling of solar thermal conversion and storage processes. This study presents a novel reactor that capable of gas reheating and develops a comprehensive three-dimensional model that effectively couples the processes of heat transmission, gas flow and chemical reaction for the optimization of the reactor. It is demonstrated that the maximum thermal efficiency is 43.67% as the incident solar power is 3730 W, but it decreases as the temperature rises. The re-radiation loss at the reactor front face is found as a major factor affecting the reactor thermal efficiency. The result indicates that the thermal efficiency of the reactor is significantly improved as using the cutoff wavelength coating technology. As the cutoff wavelength is 1 μm, the average temperature of porous material increases from 1510.77 °C to 1634.87 °C at 60 min, and the reactor's thermal efficiency increases from 11.65% to 13.51%. This study provided comprehensive insights into heat and mass transfer in a porous solar thermochemical reactor.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Tianzeng & Fu, Mingkai & Cong, Jian & Zhang, Xia & Zhang, Qiangqiang & Sayfieva, Khurshida F. & Chang, Zheshao & Li, Xin, 2024. "Analysis of heat and mass transfer in a porous solar thermochemical reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:294:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224006145
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ma, Tianzeng & Wang, Lei & Chang, Chun & Akhatov, Jasurjon S. & Fu, Mingkai & Li, Xin, 2019. "A comparative thermodynamic analysis of isothermal and non-isothermal CeO2-based solar thermochemical cycle with methane-driven reduction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 915-921.
    2. Guene Lougou, Bachirou & Wu, Lianxuan & Ma, Danni & Geng, Boxi & Jiang, Boshu & Han, Donmei & Zhang, Hao & Łapka, Piotr & Shuai, Yong, 2023. "Efficient conversion of solar energy through a macroporous ceramic receiver coupling heat transfer and thermochemical reactions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    3. Lapp, J. & Davidson, J.H. & Lipiński, W., 2012. "Efficiency of two-step solar thermochemical non-stoichiometric redox cycles with heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 591-600.
    4. Kong, Hui & Hao, Yong & Jin, Hongguang, 2018. "Isothermal versus two-temperature solar thermochemical fuel synthesis: A comparative study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 301-308.
    5. Zhang, Hao & Shuai, Yong & Lougou, Bachirou Guene & Jiang, Boshu & Yang, Dazhi & Pan, Qinghui & Wang, Fuqiang & Huang, Xing, 2022. "Effects of foam structure on thermochemical characteristics of porous-filled solar reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
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    1. Guilong Dai & Yishuo Liu & Xue Chen & Tian Zhao, 2025. "Optimization of Heat Transfer Performances Within Porous Solar Receivers—A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-31, February.
    2. Francesco Orsini & Domenico Ferrero & Davide Papurello & Massimo Santarelli, 2025. "Solar Thermochemical Fuel Production: A Novel, Validated Multiphysics Reactor Model for the Reduction–Oxidation of Nonstoichiometric Redox Cycles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-36, January.

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