Preliminary Design of an All-Ceramic Discrete-Structure Particle Heating Receiver

Abstract

Discrete structure particle heating receivers (DS-PHR), as used in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, employ suitable discrete porous structures to intermittently halt the falling particles to control the speed and increase the residence time of falling particulates, thereby increasing the temperature rise of particulates exiting the DS-PHR. Previous designs of DS-PHRs have considered both porous foam structures, which have mass flux limits, and metal wire meshes, which are effective but have temperature and other functional limitations. This paper recounts recent studies at Georgia Tech and King Saud University that have investigated the use of ceramic tiles made porous by discrete slot-shaped passages in place of previous metal wire meshes. Currently, for experimental use, the slot-like passages are cut into the tiles by water jet, but operational units are expected to be formed into shape and fired by more economical conventional ceramic techniques. Benefits of ceramic and other refractory materials include higher temperature and heat flux limits at a reasonable cost. The tiles are expected to be installed in chevron configuration, which have been shown by experience to be especially effective, and these so-called ceramic chevrons have been shown to deliver adequate mass flux densities while still removing most of the kinetic energy from the particles. In addition, the thickness of the tile allows the incorporation of angled slots capable of redirecting the particle flow, adding a method to control particle mixing by purposefully directing the particulate streams. These enhanced slots are typically arranged with adequate spacing to allow for increased penetration of concentrated light into the depth of the falling bed of particles and may be angled to redirect hot particles toward the back plane of the DS-PHR. Both of these features should help minimize depthwise temperature variation. The testing reported here will focus on the degree of velocity and flow control that can be achieved by proper design of these ceramic chevrons as well as demonstrate the effectiveness of different designs on light penetration. Prior to this research, the effectiveness of ceramic obstructions might have been properly doubted because of the very high coefficient of restitution (COR) for the impact of ceramic particles on ceramic solids. In reality, it will be shown that a layer of particulates will form on a chevron, which effectively dissipates the kinetic energy of the impacting particles. Overall, this paper will report improvements in DS-PHR designs that can withstand high temperatures and fluxes, achieve additional control of particle flow, enhance particle mixing, and allow deeper penetration of light into the depth of the falling bed.