Improving Next-Generation Falling Particle Receiver Designs Subject to Anticipated Operating Conditions

The thermal performance of a candidate next-generation falling particle receiver (FPR) is analyzed subject to various expected operating conditions. This receiver design was created from the result of an extensive optimization study and developed to support the Generation 3 Particle Pilot Plant (G3P3) project. Previous analysis demonstrated high thermal efficiencies for the receiver at nominal quiescent conditions, but further analysis was required to demonstrate that the receiver could maintain that thermal performance in a wide range of anticipated environments. In this study, the thermal efficiency was numerically evaluated using a CFD model for different wind conditions and shown to maintain a thermal efficiency above 83% for considered wind conditions. Moreover, the effect of radiative spillage from the incoming concentrated solar beam on the receiver exterior was investigated using ray tracing and CFD models. The exterior wall material temperature limits were not exceeded for the anticipated design power from the heliostats. Additional features were numerically explored including the addition of a chimney to capture particle fines and waste heat and a multi-stage concept to maximize curtain opacity. Particle fines of 10 μm were shown to preferentially flow into this chimney rather than out of the aperture, and the multi-stage design decreased radiative losses and minimized wall temperatures behind the particle curtain.