The photochemical heat pipe
Abstract
The performance of a solar collector system for high temperature heat delivery based on a photochromic reaction is discussed. The system consists of a non-focusing collector and a reactor integrated into a flow system. In the collector, kept close to ambient temperature, the chemical potential of the photochromic system is increased through an endothermic photochemical reaction and is used to drive the reverse thermal reaction taking place in the reactor at a high temperature. No separation of the photoproducts is involved. Accordingly, the highest temperature at which heat can be delivered from the reactor is determined by the maximum attainable photostationary state in the collector and not, as in a conventional flat-plate collector, by heat-loss from the collector to the surroundings. Accordingly, the highest temperature at which heat can be delivered from the reactor is determined by the maximum attainable photostationary state in the collector and not, as in a conventional flat-plate collector, by heat-loss from the collector to the surroundings. The functioning of the device is exemplified by calculations for a model system utilizing the photodissociation of gaseous nitrosylchloride. The results show that it should be possible to build a system which, on a clear day, delivers about 100 W heat at temperature above 200 C for each square meter of collector area. A tenfold reduction in the radiation flux density of the incident light will only slightly reduce output efficiency.
- Publication:
-
Solar Energy
- Pub Date:
- January 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0038-092X(78)90034-8
- Bibcode:
- 1978SoEn...21...87C
- Keywords:
-
- Energy Technology;
- Heat Pipes;
- Photochemical Reactions;
- Solar Collectors;
- Solar Energy Conversion;
- Energy Dissipation;
- Heat Exchangers;
- High Temperature;
- Nitrosyl Chlorides;
- Photochromism;
- Photodissociation