Design Evaluation of a Next-Generation High-Temperature Particle Receiver for Concentrating Solar Thermal Applications

High-temperature particle receivers are being developed to achieve temperatures in excess of 700 degrees C for advanced power cycles and solar thermochemical processes. This paper describes designs and features of a falling particle receiver system that has been evaluated and tested at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories. These advanced designs are intended to reduce heat losses and increase the thermal efficiency. Novel features include aperture covers, active air flow, particle flow obstructions, and optimized receiver shapes that minimize advective heat losses, increase particle curtain opacity and uniformity, and reduce cavity wall temperatures. Control systems are implemented in recent on-sun tests to maintain a desired particle outlet temperature using an automated closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative controller. These tests demonstrate the ability to achieve and maintain particle outlet temperatures approaching 800 degrees C with efficiencies between 60 and 90%, depending on incident power, mass flow, and environmental conditions. Lessons learned regarding the testing of design features and overall receiver operation are also presented.

Automated summary

This paper describes the design and features of a high-temperature particle receiver system that can achieve a particle outlet temperature of up to 800 degrees C with an efficiency between 60% and 90%. The system has been evaluated and tested at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, and novel features have been implemented to minimize heat losses and increase thermal efficiency.