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Thermal performance testing and analysis of a 1 MWth quartz tube bundle solid particle solar receiver using the energy balance analysis method

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  • Yao, Pan
  • Nie, Fuliang
  • Wang, Tengyue
  • Sun, Feihu
  • Zhang, Cheng
  • Bai, Fengwu

Abstract

In this study, a method for testing and calculating the thermal efficiency of a 1 MWth quartz tube-based solid particle solar receiver (SPSR) is proposed, utilizing the energy balance approach, and is validated through multi-condition experiments in Yanqing, Beijing. A heat transfer model is developed to quantify convective and radiative heat losses, while measured heat absorbed power is employed to systematically analyze the instantaneous thermal efficiency of the receiver and its influencing factors. Results from 26 completed experiments reveal that the receiver achieves a maximum outlet temperature of 699.6 °C, a peak thermal efficiency of 87.5 %, and a maximum heat absorbed power of 877.3 kW. Representative findings indicate that efficiency fluctuations are limited to less than 2.63 %, with a maximum efficiency of 72.41 %, demonstrating excellent operational stability. Increasing the particle mass flow rate significantly improves heat absorbed power and reduces heat losses. Variations in DNI directly influence the receiver's surface temperature, with thermal efficiency governed by the dynamic balance between heat absorption by particles and overall heat losses. Additionally, the thermal efficiency declines as particle outlet temperature and surface temperature rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao, Pan & Nie, Fuliang & Wang, Tengyue & Sun, Feihu & Zhang, Cheng & Bai, Fengwu, 2026. "Thermal performance testing and analysis of a 1 MWth quartz tube bundle solid particle solar receiver using the energy balance analysis method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pa:s0960148125015599
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yang, Song & Li, Lifeng & Wang, Bo & Zheng, Yihan & Lund, Peter & Wang, Jun & Ding, Yulong, 2025. "Modelling of radiative and convective heat transfer in an open cavity volumetric receiver for a 50-MWth beam-down integrated receiver-storage concentrating solar thermal system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    2. Yu, Yupu & Hu, Feng & Bai, Fengwu & Wang, Zhifeng, 2022. "On-sun testing of a 1 MWth quartz tube bundle solid particle solar receiver," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 383-397.
    3. Gan, Di & Zhu, Peiwang & Xu, Haoran & Xie, Xiangyu & Chai, Fengyuan & Gong, Jueyuan & Li, Jiasong & Xiao, Gang, 2023. "Experimental and simulation study of Mn–Fe particles in a controllable-flow particle solar receiver for high-temperature thermochemical energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    4. Xie, Xiangyu & Zhu, Peiwang & Ni, Mingjiang & Chai, Fengyuan & Li, Jiasong & Xiao, Gang, 2024. "Design, simulation and on-sun experiments of a modified sliding-bed particle solar receiver for coupling with tower concentrating system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    5. Xiao, Gang & Guo, Kaikai & Luo, Zhongyang & Ni, Mingjiang & Zhang, Yanmei & Wang, Cheng, 2014. "Simulation and experimental study on a spiral solid particle solar receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 178-188.
    6. Wang, Kun & Li, Shen-Feng & Li, Yan-Fei & Yan, Peng-Yu & Zhang, Zhen-Dong & Min, Chun-Hua, 2024. "The performance evaluation of the free-falling particle solar receiver with a novel zigzag mass-flow controlled particle release pattern," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
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    1. Zhang, Yujie & Gao, Zizeng & Yu, Jin & Jia, Teng & Zhou, Decai & Zhao, Yao & Dai, Yanjun, 2026. "Efficient heat upgrading in concentrated solar thermal conversion using chemical heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).

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