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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1971

Design and fabrication of brayton cycle solar heat receiver

A detail design and fabrication of a solar heat receiver using lithium fluoride as the heat storage material was completed. A gas flow analysis was performed to achieve uniform flow distribution within overall pressure drop limitations. Structural analyses and allowable design criteria were developed for anticipated environments such as launch, pressure containment, and thermal cycling. A complete heat receiver assembly was fabricated almost entirely from the refractory alloy, niobium-1% zirconium.

Mendelson, I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High temperature solar thermal receiver

A design concept for a high temperature solar thermal receiver to operate at 3 atmospheres pressure and 2500 F outlet was developed. The performance and complexity of windowed matrix, tube-header, and extended surface receivers were evaluated. The windowed matrix receiver proved to offer substantial cost and performance benefits. An efficient and cost effective hardware design was evaluated for a receiver which can be readily interfaced to fuel and chemical processes or to heat engines for power generation.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1998

Thermal State-of-Charge in Solar Heat Receivers

A theoretical framework is developed to determine the so-called thermal state-of-charge (SOC) in solar heat receivers employing encapsulated phase change materials (PCMS) that undergo cyclic melting and freezing. The present problem is relevant to space solar dynamic power systems that would typically operate in low-Earth-orbit (LEO). The solar heat receiver is integrated into a closed-cycle Brayton engine that produces electric power during sunlight and eclipse periods of the orbit cycle. The concepts of available power and virtual source temperature, both on a finite-time basis, are used as the basis for determining the SOC. Analytic expressions for the available power crossing the aperture plane of the receiver, available power stored in the receiver, and available power delivered to the working fluid are derived, all of which are related to the SOC through measurable parameters. Lower and upper bounds on the SOC are proposed in order to delineate absolute limiting cases for a range of input parameters (orbital, geometric, etc.). SOC characterization is also performed in the subcooled, two-phase, and superheat regimes. Finally, a previously-developed physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) system is used in order to predict the SOC as a function of measurable parameters.

Hall, Carsie A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Thermal State-of-Charge in Solar Heat Receivers

A theoretical framework is developed to determine the so-called thermal state-of-charge (SOC) in solar heat receivers employing encapsulated phase change materials (PCMS) that undergo cyclic melting and freezing. The present problem is relevant to space solar dynamic power systems that would typically operate in low-Earth-orbit (LEO). The solar heat receiver is integrated into a closed-cycle Brayton engine that produces electric power during sunlight and eclipse periods of the orbit cycle. The concepts of available power and virtual source temperature, both on a finite-time basis, are used as the basis for determining the SOC. Analytic expressions for the available power crossing the aperture plane of the receiver, available power stored in the receiver, and available power delivered to the working fluid are derived, all of which are related to the SOC through measurable parameters. Lower and upper bounds on the SOC are proposed in order to delineate absolute limiting cases for a range of input parameters (orbital, geometric, etc.). SOC characterization is also performed in the subcooled, two-phase, and superheat regimes. Finally, a previously-developed physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) system is used in order to predict the SOC as a function of measurable parameters.

Hall, Carsie, A., III↗
NASA NTRS1996

Determination of Thermal State of Charge in Solar Heat Receivers

The research project at Howard University seeks to develop analytical and numerical capabilities to study heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics, and the prediction of the performance of solar heat receivers for space applications. Specifically, the study seeks to elucidate the effects of internal and external thermal radiation, geometrical and applicable dimensionless parameters on the overall heat transfer in space solar heat receivers. Over the last year, a procedure for the characterization of the state-of-charge (SOC) in solar heat receivers for space applications has been developed. By identifying the various factors that affect the SOC, a dimensional analysis is performed resulting in a number of dimensionless groups of parameters. Although not accomplished during the first phase of the research, data generated from a thermal simulation program can be used to determine values of the dimensionless parameters and the state-of-charge and thereby obtain a correlation for the SOC. The simulation program selected for the purpose is HOTTube, a thermal numerical computer code based on a transient time-explicit, axisymmetric model of the total solar heat receiver. Simulation results obtained with the computer program are presented the minimum and maximum insolation orbits. In the absence of any validation of the code with experimental data, results from HOTTube appear reasonable qualitatively in representing the physical situations modeled.

Glakpe, E. K.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Modeling Cyclic Phase Change and Energy Storage in Solar Heat Receivers

Numerical results pertaining to cyclic melting and freezing of an encapsulated phase change material (PCM), integrated into a solar heat receiver, have been reported. The cyclic nature of the present melt/freeze problem is relevant to latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems used to power solar Brayton engines in microgravity environments. Specifically, a physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) project was developed and results compared with available experimental data. Multi-conjugate effects such as the convective fluid flow of a low-Prandtl-number fluid, coupled with thermal conduction in the phase change material, containment tube and working fluid conduit were accounted for in the model. A single-band thermal radiation model was also included to quantify reradiative energy exchange inside the receiver and losses through the aperture. The eutectic LiF-CaF2 was used as the phase change material (PCM) and a mixture of He/Xe was used as the working fluid coolant. A modified version of the computer code HOTTube was used to generate results for comparisons with GTD data for both the subcooled and two-phase regimes. While qualitative trends were in close agreement for the balanced orbit modes, excellent quantitative agreement was observed for steady-state modes.

Hall, Carsie A., III↗
NASA NTRS1997

Parametric Analysis of Cyclic Phase Change and Energy Storage in Solar Heat Receivers

A parametric study on cyclic melting and freezing of an encapsulated phase change material (PCM), integrated into a solar heat receiver, has been performed. The cyclic nature of the present melt/freeze problem is relevant to latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems used to power solar Brayton engines in microgravity environments. Specifically, a physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) project was developed. Multi-conjugate effects such as the convective fluid flow of a low-Prandtl-number fluid, coupled with thermal conduction in the phase change material, containment tube and working fluid conduit were accounted for in the model. A single-band thermal radiation model was also included to quantify reradiative energy exchange inside the receiver and losses through the aperture. The eutectic LiF-CaF2 was used as the phase change material (PCM) and a mixture of He/Xe was used as the working fluid coolant. A modified version of the computer code HOTTube was used to generate results in the two-phase regime. Results indicate that parametric changes in receiver gas inlet temperature and receiver heat input effects higher sensitivity to changes in receiver gas exit temperatures.

Hall, Carsie A., III↗
NASA NTRS1977

A fixed tilt solar collector employing reversible vee-trough reflectors and vacuum tube receivers for solar heating and cooling systems

The usefulness of vee-trough concentrators in improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of collectors assembled from evacuated tube receivers was studied in the vee-trough/vacuum tube collector (VTVTC) project. The VTVTC was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrator and the thermal performance of the evacuated tube receiver. A test bed was constructed to verify the mathematical analyses and compare reflectors made out of glass, Alzak and aluminized FEP Teflon. Tests were run at temperatures ranging from 95 to 180 C. Vee-trough collector efficiencies of 35 to 40% were observed at an operating temperature of about 175 C. Test results compared well with the calculated values. Predicted daily useful heat collection and efficiency values are presented for a year's duration of operation temperatures ranging from 65 to 230 C. Estimated collector costs and resulting thermal energy costs are presented. Analytical and experimental results are discussed along with a complete economic evaluation.

Selcuk, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A fixed tilt solar collector employing reversible vee-through reflectors and evaluated tube receivers for solar heating and cooling systems

The Vee-Trough/Evacuated Tube Collector (VTETC) was analyzed rigorously and various mathematical models were developed to calculate the optical performance of the vee-trough concentrators, and the quasi-steady state thermal performance of the evacuated tube receivers. Tests were run to verify the mathematical analyses. Back-silvered glass mirror, Alzak, Aluminized Teflon, and Kinglux (electropolished aluminum reflectors) were tested. Additional tests were run at temperatures ranging from 80 to 190 C (176-374 F). For the glass mirror reflectors, peak efficiencies, based on aperture area and operating temperatures of 125 C (257 F), were over 40%. Efficiencies of about 40% were observed at temperatures of 150 C (302 F) and 30% at 175 C (347 F). Test data for several days, predicted daily useful heats, and efficiency values are presented for a full year. These theoretical values were then compared with actual data points for the same temperature range.

Selcuk, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary design of a solar heat receiver for a Brayton cycle space power system

The preliminary design of a solar heat receiver for use as a heat source for an earth-orbiting 11-kWe Brayton-cycle engine is described. The result was a cavity heat receiver having the shape of a frustum of a cone. The wall of the cone is formed by 48 heat-transfer tubes, each tube containing pockets of lithium fluoride for storing heat for as much as 38 minutes of fullpower operation in the shade. Doors are provided in order to dump excess heat especially during operation in orbits with full sun exposure. The receiver material is predominantly columbium - 1-percent-zironium (Cb-1Zr) alloy. Full-scale testing of three heat-transfer tubes for more than 2000 hours and 1250 sun-shade cycles verified the design concept.

Cameron, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Storage requirement definition study

A dish Stirling solar receiver (DSSR) and a heat pipe solar receiver with TES (HPSR) for a 25 kWe dish Stirling solar power system are described. The thermal performance and cost effectiveness of each are analyzed minute by minute over the equivalent of one year of solar insolation. Existing designs of these two systems were used as a basis for the study; TES concepts for the DSSR and alternative TES concepts for the HPSR are presented. Parametric performance and cost studies were performed to determine the operating and cost characteristics of these systems. Data are reported for systems (1) without TES and with varying amounts of TES, (2) with and without a fossil fuel combustor, (3) with varying solar to fossil power input, and (4) with different system control assumptions. The principal effects of TES duration, collector area, engine efficiency, and fuel cost sensitivity are indicated. Development needs for each of the systems are discussed and the need and nature of possible future TES solar modular experiments are presented and discussed.

Stacy, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Sensible heat receiver for solar dynamic space power system

A sensible heat receiver considered in this study uses a vapor grown carbon fiber-carbon (VGCF/C) composite as the thermal storage media and was designed for a 7 kW Brayton engine. The proposed heat receiver stores the required energy to power the system during eclipse in the VGCF/C composite. The heat receiver thermal analysis was conducted through the Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer and Fluid Integrator (SINDA) software package. The sensible heat receiver compares well with other latent and advanced sensible heat receivers analyzed in other studies while avoiding the problems associated with latent heat storage salts and liquid metal heat pipes. The concept also satisfies the design requirements for a 7 kW Brayton engine system. The weight and size of the system can be optimized by changes in geometry and technology advances for this new material.

Perez-Davis, Marla E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Sensible heat receiver for solar dynamic space power system

A sensible heat receiver is considered which uses a vapor grown carbon fiber-carbon (VGCF/C) composite as the thermal storage medium and which was designed for a 7-kW Brayton engine. This heat receiver stores the required energy to power the system during eclipse in the VGCF/C composite. The heat receiver thermal analysis was conducted through the Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer and Fluid Integrator (SINDA) software package. The sensible heat receiver compares well with other latent and advanced sensible heat receivers analyzed in other studies, while avoiding the problems associated with latent heat storage salts and liquid metal heat pipes. The concept also satisfies the design requirements for a 7-kW Brayton engine system. The weight and size of the system can be optimized by changes in geometry and technology advances for this new material.

Perez-Davis, Marla E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Improved boundary layer heat transfer calculations near a stagnation point

A thermal design of a solar receiver has been developed for the solutions of problems involving phase-change thermal energy storage and natural convection loss. Two dimensional axisymmetrical solidification and melting of materials contained between two concentric cylinders of finite length has been studied for thermal energy storage analysis. For calculation of free convection loss inside receiver cavity, two dimensional axisymmetrical, laminar, transient free convection including radiation effects has been studied using integral/finite difference method. Finite difference equations are derived for the above analysis subject to constant or variable material properties, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. The validity of the analyses has been substantiated by comparing results of the present general method with available analytic solutions or numerical results reported in the literature. Both explicit and implicit schemes are tested in phase change analysis with different number of nodes ranging from 4 to 18. The above numerical methods have been applied to the existing solar receiver analyzing computer code as additional subroutines. The results were computed for one of the proposed Brayton cycle solar receiver models running under the actual environmental conditions. Effect of thermal energy storage on the thermal behavior of the receiver has been estimated. Due to the thermal energy storage, about 65% reduction on working gas outlet temperature fluctuation has been obtained; however, maximum temperature of thermal energy storage containment has been increased about 18%. Also, effect of natural convection inside a receiver cavity on the receiver heat transfer has been analyzed. The finding indicated that thermal stratification occurs during the sun time resulting in higher receiver temperatures at the outlet section of the gas tube, and lower temperatures at the inlet section of the gas tube when compared with the results with no natural convection. Due to heat supply from the air during the shade time, minimum temperature has been increased, while maximum temperature has been reduced due to convection loss to air. Consequently, cyclic temperature fluctuation has been reduced 29% for working gas and 16% for thermal energy storage containment. On the other hand, despite the presence of the natural convection the time-averaged temperatures for receiver components were found to be similar for two cases with/without natural convection (maximum difference was 1.8%).

Ahn, Kyung Hwan↗
DOE OSTI2024

Probing Thermal Transport in Fluidized Bed Using Modulated Photothermal Radiometry

Abstract In concentrated solar power (CSP) applications, fluidized bed is a promising approach for high heat transfer coefficient (HTC) solar receivers and heat exchangers. However, the complexity of multiphase mixing has made it difficult to characterize and analyze the heat transfer mechanism. This paper presents an experimental study on simultaneously characterizing heat transfer in both the near-wall and the bulk regions of a fluidized bed using modulated photothermal radiometry (MPR). The MPR is a non-contact frequency-domain technique using an intensity-modulated laser as the heat source and surface infrared emission as thermometry. The thermal penetration depth of the laser heating is varied by controlling its modulation frequency, and thus the measurement can resolve the near-wall and the bulk thermal resistances. With the MPR technique, we measured fluidized silica sands with a mean size of 164 μm in a vertical channel of 6 mm depth. Our results show that the near-wall thermal resistance is substantially increased with increasing gas velocity, which partially offsets the benefit of higher HTC brought by stronger particle mixing during the fluidization. We also used the MPR to quantify the improvement in particle-wall heat transfer in an inclined channel. We found that an 8° inclination towards the heat exchanging side led to a lower near-wall thermal resistance and a higher HTC at high gas velocities. This work demonstrates that the MPR technique is a useful tool to quantify the important near-wall thermal resistance from a bulk particle bed, which not only advances our understanding of heat transfer in fluidized beds, but may also contribute to the design of fluidized bed heat exchangers with higher HTC.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Performance Evaluation of an Additively Manufactured ultra-High Operating Temperature SiC Solar-Thermal Air Receiver (HOTSSTAR) Test Module

Increasing operating temperatures of solar receivers is paramount to the efficiency of concentrated solar thermal and solar power systems. GE Aerospace Research in collaboration with Heliogen Inc and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is engaged in the development of ultra-High Operating Temperature SiC-matrix Solar Thermal Air Receiver (HOTSSTAR) enabled by additive manufacturing. HOTSSTAR goal is to demonstrate SiC receiver with air exit temperatures up to 1100oC. We discuss fabrication and on-sun test results of a prototype 50kWth test module. The receiver architecture is based on a radial airflow design and consists of a series of radial SiC receiver sectors organized around central absorber. These components were fabricated using binder-jet printed SiC followed by melt-infiltration reaction bonding process. To enhance the thermo-mechanical reliability of SiC test articles in thermal gradient/ shock environment of the application, the components were laminated with GE’s MI SiC CMC. A dedicated test facility was constructed at SNL Solar Tower to evaluate the operational performance of HOTSSTAR module under solar fluxes >200 W/cm2. We report on our final 50kW test module fabrication, integration at the test facility at Sandia, and discuss on-sun test results. We compare the performance of HOTSSTAR module relative to our model predictions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1982

Battle Keeps Solar Energy in Receiver

Mirror structure in solar concentrator reduces heat loss by reflection and reradiation. Baffle reflects entering rays back and forth in solar-concentrator receiver until they reach heat exchanger. Similarly, infrared energy reradiated by heat exchanger is prevented from leaving receiver. Surfaces of baffle and inside wall of receiver are polished and highly reflective at solar and infrared wavelengths.

Mcdougal, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The nature of the short period fluctuations in solar irradiance received by the earth

An analysis of the periodicities found in the Nimbus-7 satellite measurements of solar irradiance (Solar Constant) indicates variations on three scales. Two of these variations are shown to be related to variations in solar activity as given by various indicators of solar photosphere disturbances. The high frequency periodicity is due to the solar rotation period. The second periodicity is based on the integral effect of the high frequency oscillation over an 11 year solar cycle. The third variation (secular trend) is discussed in regard to the high precision cavity data and the recent record of high altitude solar constant measurements.

Smith, E. A.↗