The temperature distribution along an absorbing-emitting fluid layer flowing over an opaque substrate
Abstract
A description is presented of a theoretical model which has been developed to assess the effect of various parameters on the operational characteristics of an optical cavity system for the utilization of solar energy. In the considered system, the sunlight reflected from an array of mirrors is focused into a cylindrical cavity mounted at the top of a tall tower. A semitransparent molten salt circulates through the cavity and transports the absorbed solar energy to a location where it may be used to produce electricity or stored for a later usage. The parameters considered in the model include the fluid flow rate, the fluid layer optical thickness, the film conductance between the substrate and fluid, and the reflectance of the substrate. It is found that opacifying the fluid layer significantly reduces the temperature level of the substrate while it simultaneously increases that of the fluid.
- Publication:
-
ASME Numerical/Laboratory Computer Methods in Fluid Mechanics
- Pub Date:
- December 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976asme.meetR....A
- Keywords:
-
- Radiation Absorption;
- Solar Energy Conversion;
- Stratified Flow;
- Substrates;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Cavities;
- Liquid Phases;
- Mirrors;
- Optical Reflection;
- Optical Thickness;
- Salts;
- Spectral Reflectance;
- Working Fluids;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer