Conceptual modeling and analysis of a solar receiver for thermochemical hydrogen generation

Hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize the way we live our everyday lives in the near future. With the global demand for oil increasing and pumping capabilities running at, or almost at full capacity, the world will eventually have to turn to alternative energy sources to satisfy the need for fuel in the near future.; The processes involved in designing a system capable of hydrogen production include many different components. For the generation of hydrogen through a solar process, one of these components is the design and analysis of the solar receiver. The solar receiver is the component of the solar system where the concentrated solar heat flux is focused on, which provides heat for such things as a working fluid (such as in the case of a Stirling engine), or a heat transfer fluid (in the case of a indirect receiver/reactor or where heat must be transported from one location to another).; The focus of this study is to design and analyze a conceptual design of a solar receiver for an indirect receiver/reactor system on a solar dish concentrator and to show schematically a design of a receiver/reactor layout with dimensions for a scale commensurate with typical dish concentrator geometry. A CFD analysis will be presented using the STAR-CD program to examine velocity distribution, pressure drop and heat transfer behavior of the receiver component. A macro analysis of the receiver/reactor thermal system is also presented. The CFD analysis will be looked at for the case of midrange thermochemical cycles (max ∼ 600°C), where molten nitrate salt can be employed as the heat transfer fluid.