Effectiveness of a multi-channel volumetric air receiver for a solar power tower

In this study, the heat transfer performance of a multi-channel volumetric air receiver for a solar power tower was numerically analyzed. The governing equations, including the solar radiation heat flux, conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer for a single channel, were solved on the basis of valid related references and a methodology that can predict the temperature distribution of the receiver wall and the heat transfer fluid for specific dimensions and input conditions. Furthermore, a mathematical model of the effectiveness of the receiver was derived from an analysis of the temperature profiles of the wall and the heat transfer fluid. The receiver effectiveness as an appropriate criterion to assess economic feasibility regarding geometric size was investigated, as it would be applied to the design process of the receiver. The main parameters for the thermal performance simulations described in this paper are the air mass flow rate, receiver length and the influence of these parameters on the heat transfer performance from the viewpoint of receiver efficiency and effectiveness.