1/4-MW SOLAR RECEIVER, FINAL REPORT

ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY- Sanders Associates, Inc., has completed the design and construction of a 1/4 MWt Air Cycle Solar Receiver and has successfully tested it at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Advanced Components Test facility. The receiver was designed to deliver air at 1100°c

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(2000°F). The receiver operates at ambient pressure and does not require a window to seal the aperture. By using a novel ceramic matrix for solar energy absorption and heat transfer, the receiver can provide high efficiency solar energy collection with very low pressure drops. A terminal concentrator surrounding the receiver aperture is used to boost aperture concentration to about 2000. An additional feature is a compliant ceramic support system which minimizes the thermal stresses. Before beginning the receiver tests, the flux distribution near the focal zone was mapped by GIT personnel. As part of the test series, additional measurements were made using both the GIT flux scanner and a flux scanner built by Sanders to map the flux distribution on the receiver surfaces. The flux scans indicated a mirror aiming and tracking error, cr = 11.8 mrad for the facility. Sigma has a large impact on the amount of energy which can be directed into a receiver. The Sanders receiver is designed for a field pointing dispersion of cr = 6.6 mrad. The receiver aperture diameter has been reduced to 50.8 cm (20 in) by using a terminal concentrator to redirect the outer ·rays into the aperture. The increase in cr from 6.6 mrad to 11.8 mrad results in a reduction in the solar energy, which can be directed into the receiver, from 316 kW to 190 kW. Based on this evaluation of the facility, a limited test plan aimed at providing a shakedown of both the Sanders receiver and the GIT facility was followed. The objectives of this first test series have been successfully accomplished.

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