Optimization of thermo-hydraulic characteristics of solar cavity receiver under concentrated heat flux

It is important to study the effects of heat flux on the thermo-hydraulic characteristics in a solar cavity receiver because of the non-uniform radiation flux temporally and spatially. In this article, we presented a mathematical model of thermo-hydraulic characteristics of a solar cavity receiver, considering the effect of heat flux distribution on the energy transfer (radiation–conduction–convection). Using the model, the thermo-hydraulic characteristics under high concentrated heat flux were studied and then optimized the characteristics from two aspects: tube diameter (22, 27, 32, and 38 mm) and connection structure of the heating surface (H-type, central inlet/outlet, and vertical U-type). It was found that flow distribution changed smoothly at the diameter of 27 mm with the increase of the heat flux; when the diameter of tubes at the certain distance (1.6σ(HF)) from the spot center was replaced by 38 mm, the thermo-hydraulic characteristics were improved. For the evaporating surfaces, the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of working fluid (water) with the central inlet/outlet connection structure were better than those of the H-type connection structure. For the surperheated surfaces, the vertical U-type connection structure was applied to obtain the high temperature steam. These research findings are helpful for the safe and stable operation of the whole solar power system.