Pressurized concentrated solar power receiver designed to operate with closed Brayton cycles

Abstract

Parabolic through and parabolic dish concentrators (PDC) followed by a volumetric receiver is proposed, studying the performance behavior of a closed Brayton cycle (CBC) operating with He and N2. A pressurized gas (helium, nitrogen) circulates along the volumetric receiver capturing the concentrated thermal solar energy which is converted into mechanical energy by a CBC. The overall efficiency of the plant (PC-Receiver + CBC) is being computed under variable parameters to determine the operating conditions for which efficiency is acceptable. As consequence of the proposed analysis, it is concluded that direct coupling between volumetric receiver and thermal engine renders high efficiency while avoiding a heat exchanger.