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Thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of ceramic volumetric absorbers for central receiver solar power plants: A review

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  • Gomez-Garcia, Fabrisio
  • González-Aguilar, José
  • Olalde, Gabriel
  • Romero, Manuel

Abstract

This paper presents an extensive review of the thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of conventional ceramic volumetric absorbers, i.e. monolithic honeycombs and open-cell foams. It is intended to provide scientific support to the design of more efficient absorbers with novel structures and materials, based on a further understanding of how the characteristics of conventional absorbers modify their performance. This review identifies radiative and thermal properties that a good absorber must have, providing reference values for SiC absorbers. An overview on how the typical manufacturing process modifies their properties is also presented. Significance of geometrical parameters and radiative and thermal properties of both type of absorbers, as well as the effects of incoming light direction on the solar radiation propagation and the solid-air temperature distributions within their structure are discussed. Typical operating conditions of these elements are given. Their characteristic outlet air temperature and thermal efficiency are compared and discussed. The different mechanisms that are responsible for the pressure drop in these elements are identified, and their influence on the heat transfer mechanisms is analyzed. To conclude, factors that promote the appearance of flow instabilities are described.

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  • Gomez-Garcia, Fabrisio & González-Aguilar, José & Olalde, Gabriel & Romero, Manuel, 2016. "Thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of ceramic volumetric absorbers for central receiver solar power plants: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 648-658.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:57:y:2016:i:c:p:648-658
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fend, Thomas & Hoffschmidt, Bernhard & Pitz-Paal, Robert & Reutter, Oliver & Rietbrock, Peter, 2004. "Porous materials as open volumetric solar receivers: Experimental determination of thermophysical and heat transfer properties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 823-833.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pitot de la Beaujardiere, Jean-Francois P. & Reuter, Hanno C.R., 2018. "A review of performance modelling studies associated with open volumetric receiver CSP plant technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3848-3862.
    3. Avila-Marin, Antonio L., 2022. "CFD parametric analysis of wire meshes open volumetric receivers with axial-varied porosity and comparison with small-scale solar receiver tests," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 1094-1105.
    4. Nakakura, Mitsuho & Matsubara, Koji & Cho, Hyun-Seok & Kodama, Tatsuya & Gokon, Nobuyuki & Bellan, Selvan & Yoshida, Kazuo, 2017. "Buoyancy-opposed volumetric solar receiver with beam-down optics irradiation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 2337-2350.
    5. Avila-Marin, Antonio L. & Fernandez-Reche, Jesus & Gianella, Sandro & Ferrari, Luca & Sanchez-Señoran, Daniel, 2022. "Experimental study of innovative periodic cellular structures as air volumetric absorbers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 391-404.
    6. Navalho, Jorge E.P. & Pereira, José C.F., 2020. "A comprehensive and fully predictive discrete methodology for volumetric solar receivers: application to a functional parabolic dish solar collector system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    7. Sedighi, Mohammadreza & Padilla, Ricardo Vasquez & Rose, Andrew & Taylor, Robert A., 2022. "Optical analysis of a semi-transparent packed bed of spheres for next-generation volumetric solar receivers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    8. Merchán, R.P. & Santos, M.J. & Medina, A. & Calvo Hernández, A., 2022. "High temperature central tower plants for concentrated solar power: 2021 overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    9. 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.
    10. Chen, Xue & Lyu, Jinxin & Sun, Chuang & Xia, Xinlin & Wang, Fuqiang, 2023. "Pore-scale evaluation on a volumetric solar receiver with different optical property control strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    11. 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.
    12. Avila-Marin, A.L. & Fernandez-Reche, J. & Martinez-Tarifa, A., 2019. "Modelling strategies for porous structures as solar receivers in central receiver systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 15-33.
    13. Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Barghamadi, Hossein & Pourfayaz, Fathollah, 2017. "Performance comparison between the geometry models of multi-channel absorbers in solar volumetric receivers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-12.

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