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Numerical simulations of the solar transmission process for a pressurized volumetric receiver

Author

Listed:
  • Cui, F.Q.
  • He, Y.L.
  • Cheng, Z.D.
  • Li, D.
  • Tao, Y.B.

Abstract

A three-dimensional optical model for a pressurized volumetric receiver (PVR) is developed and corresponding solar radiation propagation process within the PVR is simulated by the Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method. In the computation, the complicated photon transmission process in the SiC porous absorber is simplified as the transmission process in the statistically homogeneous and isotropic turbid medium. Meanwhile, the non-uniform cylindrical coordinate grid is applied in the statistics of energy distribution, which could greatly reduce the number of cells in the computational grid and time compared with normal uniform grid. Based on the above model, the energy distribution in the irregular macro scale porous absorber is determined and then the effects of system parameters, including the incidence angle, the shape of absorber and the optical property of absorber, on the local heat flux of the absorber are investigated. The results show that, under the given operating condition, the radiation heat flux is mostly concentrated at the top area of the absorber and the maximum heat flux value is up to 2.73 × 109 W m−3, but it quickly decreases in the sideward locations. The incidence angle and a relative narrow shape of absorber are helpful to reduce the maximum heat flux in the absorber. Furthermore, as the ratio of absorption coefficient/extinction coefficient decreases, the absorbed radiation energy distribution is more uniform and the max heat flux in the absorber decreases greatly.

Suggested Citation

  • Cui, F.Q. & He, Y.L. & Cheng, Z.D. & Li, D. & Tao, Y.B., 2012. "Numerical simulations of the solar transmission process for a pressurized volumetric receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 618-628.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:46:y:2012:i:1:p:618-628
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.07.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yao, Zhihao & Wang, Zhifeng & Lu, Zhenwu & Wei, Xiudong, 2009. "Modeling and simulation of the pioneer 1MW solar thermal central receiver system in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 2437-2446.
    2. Bertocchi, Rudi & Karni, Jacob & Kribus, Abraham, 2004. "Experimental evaluation of a non-isothermal high temperature solar particle receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 687-700.
    3. He, Y.L. & Cheng, Z.D. & Cui, F.Q. & Li, Z.Y. & Li, D., 2012. "Numerical investigations on a pressurized volumetric receiver: Solar concentrating and collecting modelling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 368-379.
    4. Thirugnanasambandam, Mirunalini & Iniyan, S. & Goic, Ranko, 2010. "A review of solar thermal technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 312-322, January.
    5. He, Ya-Ling & Xiao, Jie & Cheng, Ze-Dong & Tao, Yu-Bing, 2011. "A MCRT and FVM coupled simulation method for energy conversion process in parabolic trough solar collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 976-985.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Qiu, Yu & He, Ya-Ling & Cheng, Ze-Dong & Wang, Kun, 2015. "Study on optical and thermal performance of a linear Fresnel solar reflector using molten salt as HTF with MCRT and FVM methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 162-173.
    2. Cheng, Z.D. & He, Y.L. & Cui, F.Q. & Du, B.C. & Zheng, Z.J. & Xu, Y., 2014. "Comparative and sensitive analysis for parabolic trough solar collectors with a detailed Monte Carlo ray-tracing optical model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 559-572.
    3. Cheng, Ze-Dong & He, Ya-Ling & Du, Bao-Cun & Wang, Kun & Liang, Qi, 2015. "Geometric optimization on optical performance of parabolic trough solar collector systems using particle swarm optimization algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 282-293.
    4. Wang, P. & Li, J.B. & Zhou, L. & Liu, D.Y., 2020. "Acceptance-Rejection Sampling Based Monte Carlo Ray Tracing in Anisotropic Porous Media," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    5. Barreto, Germilly & Canhoto, Paulo & Collares-Pereira, Manuel, 2019. "Three-dimensional CFD modelling and thermal performance analysis of porous volumetric receivers coupled to solar concentration systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Qiu, Yu & He, Ya-Ling & Wu, Ming & Zheng, Zhang-Jing, 2016. "A comprehensive model for optical and thermal characterization of a linear Fresnel solar reflector with a trapezoidal cavity receiver," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 129-144.
    7. Du, Shen & Ren, Qinlong & He, Ya-Ling, 2017. "Optical and radiative properties analysis and optimization study of the gradually-varied volumetric solar receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 27-35.
    8. Barreto, Germilly & Canhoto, Paulo & Collares-Pereira, Manuel, 2018. "Three-dimensional modelling and analysis of solar radiation absorption in porous volumetric receivers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 602-614.

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