Dynamic Modeling of a Solar Reactor for Zinc Oxide Thermal Dissociation and Experimental Validation Using IR Thermography

Abstract

A dynamic numerical model of a solar cavitytype reactor for the thermal dissociation of ZnO is formulated based on a detailed radiative heat transfer analysis combining the Monte Carlo raytracing technique and the radiosity enclosure theory. The quartz window is treated as a semitransparent glass layer with spectrally and directionally dependent optical properties. Model validation is accomplished by comparison with experimental results obtained with a 10kW solar reactor prototype in terms of cavity temperatures, reaction extents, and quartz window temperature distribution measured by IR thermography. The solartofuel energy conversion efficiencies obtained experimentally are reported, and the various energy flows are quantified.