Advances in central receivers for concentrating solar applications

This paper provides a review of current state-of-the-art commercial central receiver systems and emerging technologies intended to increase the outlet temperature to >700 degrees C. Research on particle-based, gas based, and liquid-based receiver designs that can achieve these higher temperatures are discussed. Particle-based technologies include directly irradiated designs (free-falling, obstructed, centrifugal) and enclosed designs (gravity fed, fluidized). New gas-based receivers include micro-channel designs and light-trapping configurations that increase the surface area, heat transfer, and solar absorptance to enable higher fluxes and pressures. Liquid-based receivers and materials that are reviewed include high temperature halide salts (chlorides and fluorides), carbonate salts, and liquid metals (sodium and lead bismuth). Advantages and challenges associated with each of the technologies and receiver designs are presented. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.