Receiver loss study of optimized solar central receiver systems as a function of receiver thermal loss per unit area
Abstract
Recent efforts in solar central receiver research have been directed toward high temperature applications. Associated with high temperature processes are greater receiver thermal losses due to reradiation and convection. This report examines the performance of central receiver systems having optimum heliostat fields and receiver aperture areas as a function of receiver thermal loss per unit area of receiver aperture. The results address the problem of application optimization (where the loss per unit area varies) as opposed to the problem of merely optimizing a design for a specific application (where the loss per unit area is approximately fixed). A reasonable range of values for the primary independent variable L (the average reradiative and convective loss per unit area of receiver aperture) and a reasonable set of design assumptions were first established. The optimum receiver aperture area, number and spacings of heliostats, and field boundary were then determined for two tower focal heights and for each value of L. From this, the solar subsystem performance for each optimized system was calculated. Heliostat field analysis and optimization required a detailed computational analysis.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Houston Univ
- Pub Date:
- March 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985hous.rept.....P
- Keywords:
-
- Efficiency;
- Heliostats;
- Losses;
- Optimization;
- Solar Collectors;
- Computer Programs;
- Convection;
- Cost Effectiveness;
- High Temperature;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer