Hadrien Benoit

Heat exchanger modelling in central receiver solar power plant using dense particle suspension

In this paper, a detailed thermodynamic model for a heat exchanger (HX) working with a dense particle suspension (DPS) as heat transfer fluid (HTF) in the solar loop and water-steam as working fluid is presented. HX modelling is based on fluidized bed (FB) technology and its design has been conceived to couple solar plant using DPS as HTF and storage media with Rankine cycle for power generation. Using DPS as heat transfer fluid allows extending operating temperature range what will help to reduce thermal energy storage costs favoring higher energy densities but will also allow running power cycle at higher temperature what will increase its efficiency. Besides HX modelling description, this model will be used to reproduce solar plant performance under steady state and transient conditions.

Temperature influence on wall-to-particle suspension heat transfer in a solar tubular receiver

Dense Particle Suspension (DPS) can be used as high temperature heat transfer fluid in solar receiver. Tests conducted with a one-tube experimental setup in real conditions of concentrated solar irradiation resulted in determining heat transfer coefficients for the DPS flowing upward in a vertical tube. They have been obtained for solid fluxes in the range 10-45 kg/m2.s and outlet temperatures up to 1020 K. The influence of solid flux, aeration and temperature is outlined in this paper. Heat transfer coefficient variations are correlated as a function of the solid flux and the temperature for given aeration conditions.

On-sun first operation of a 150 kWth pilot solar receiver using dense particle suspension as heat transfer fluid

A 50-150 kWth pilot solar rig comprising the key equipments of a real plant and that uses silicon carbide Dense Particles Suspension as the heat transfer fluid has been tested at the 1 MW solar furnace at Odeillo-Font Romeu, France. The tests were carried out under large ranges of operating parameters and controlling the mass flow rate when higher temperature was required and when changes on DNI (direct normal irradiation) occurred. This paper presents experimental results on particle outlet temperature, dynamic response of the system to solid mass flow rate and solar power variations, and receiver thermal efficiency (η). Mean and maximum particles’ temperature up to 585°C and 720°C respectively was reached. The receiver thermal efficiency was measured in the range 50-90%.