Pressurized ceramic plate receiver for high outlet temperatures

Solar Tower systems accomplish high operating temperatures and therefore high conversion efficiencies especially when using combined cycles. A high overall efficiency for the conversion of solar radiation can be achieved by introducing solar energy into a Brayton cycle. One key component of a solar gas turbine system is the receiver. This component has to fulfil several needs at high loads. Main points to bear in mind are the requirement for a limited pressure drop while the receiver is subjected to high and inhomogeneous heat fluxes. Using ceramic materials (SiC) for a solar receiver could rise the outlet temperature significantly as the possible material temperatures can be higher than using metallic alloys. Recently, fully-welded, so called monolithic SiC heat exchangers became available. The monolithic SiC-blocks as key component can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures > 16 bar. A feasibility study was done to estimate the receiver area and mass necessary to achieve an outlet temperature of 1000°C with a thermal power of 3.7MW. The system shall be connected in series with a metallic tubular receiver. The proposed modular approach provides several advantages for designing the geometric arrangement between the receivers.