Session: 05-09 Particles for Thermal Storage in CSP 2

Paper Number: 116503

116503 - Falling Particle Receiver Mass Flow Rate Discretization for Homogenous Particle Heating and Increased Efficiency 

Falling particle receivers utilize a curtain of solid particles dropped through a cavity to absorb energy from a beam of concentrated solar flux. Current falling particle receiver designs feature a single slide gate which controls the outlet temperature of the receiver via the mass flow rate of particles entering the receiver. In this configuration, the mass flow rate is equal along the width of the curtain causing increased heating at its center compared to that found at the edges due to the gaussian profile of the incident flux. The high temperature particles at the center of the curtain radiate more heat increasing the thermal losses, decreasing receiver efficiency. A novel slide gate design, composed of many valves in parallel is being developed which will allow for discrete mass flow rate control along the width of the curtain to create a more homogeneous particle outlet temperature. The efficiency of a falling particle receiver with discretized mass flow estimated using a validated CFD model is presented.

Presenting Author: Nathan Schroeder Sandia National Laboratories

Presenting Author Biography: Nathan Schroeder is an R&D Mechanical Engineer working at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), part of Sandia National Labs. Nathan is involved in Gen 3 particle-based concentrating solar power research focusing on the particle receiver and data acquisition and controls systems. He has conducted over 200 hours of falling particle receiver test operation as part of the generation 3 down selection process. Nathan is also involved in thermal energy storage and other concentrating solar technology research including decarbonization of cement production.