The numerical model of the high temperature receiver for concentrated solar radiation

This article presents the results of computer simulations devoted to optimization of the high temperature heat receiver, for concentrating solar radiation based on Ray Tracing method and computational fluid dynamics. The analyzed receiver is the part of the concentrating solar radiation helioenergetic installation. This installation uses two optical elements with different focal points. First goal was to determine the best location for the absorber within those focal points. To do it, a modified Ray Tracing method was used. Maps and graphs of the distribution of absorbed by receiver radiation intensity were generated. The data obtained was used in the computation of outlet working medium temperature flowing through the heat receiver. The computational fluid dynamics method was applied. Surface and spatial distribution of the temperature in the heat receiver and variations of the medium temperature were analyzed. The conducted research allowed for optimization of the concentrator-receiver geometry and selection of the optimal medium flow for the best optical system configuration. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.