Protection of an Aerowindow, One Scheme to Enhance the Cavity Efficiency of a Solid Particle Solar Receiver

The existing open aperture of a Solid Particle Solar Receiver (SPSR) lowers the cavity efficiency by convection heat transfer. Aerowindows have the potential of increasing the efficiency of an SPSR. Aerodynamic windows consist of a transparent gas stream, which is injected from an air jet, across the receiver aperture to isolate its interior from the surrounding atmosphere. In the present paper, the influences of an aerowindow are investigated numerically on the cavity efficiency, particle exit temperature, and particle distribution of an SPSR. Different injection velocities, injection temperatures and injection directions of an air jet have been studied in order to form an efficient aerowindow. The numerical results provide a reference idea to enhance the performance in the conceptual design of an SPSR.Copyright © 2009 by ASME