An Ultra-High Temperature Stable Solar Absorber Using the ZrC-Based Cermets

Abstract

Exploring the spectrally selective absorbers with high optical performance and excellent thermal stability is crucial to improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy to electricity in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. However, there are limited reports on the selective solar absorbers utilized at 900oC or above. Herein, we developed a selective absorption coating based on the ultra-high temperature ceramic ZrC and the quasi-optical microcavity (QOM) optical structure, and experimentally achieved the absorber via depositing an all-ceramic multilayer films on a stainless steel substrate by magnetron sputtering. The prepared multi-layer selective absorber demonstrates an excellent high solar absorptance of ∼0.964 due to the multi absorptance mechanisms in the QOM, and a relatively low thermal emittance of ∼0.16 (82°C). Moreover, the coating can survive at 900oC in vacuum for 100 h with a superior spectral selectivity of 0.96/0.143 (82°C) upon annealing, resulting from the introduction of ultra-high temperature ceramic ZrC in the QOM structure. Under the conditions of a stable operating temperature of 900°C and a concentration ratio of 1,000 suns, the calculated ideal conversion efficiency using this absorber can reach around 68%, exceeding most solar selective absorbers in previous reports.

High-Selectivity Planar Thermal Emitter with a Stable Temperature over 1400 K for a Thermophotovoltaic System

“…The optical constants of the materials were obtained experimentally and fitted using a rigorous method, as descripted in previous studies. , Figure a displays the optical constants of the monolayer for optical design. The optical constant of the α-W shows a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing without any obvious dispersion relationship.…”

Function optimization of ceramic firing process and reduction of energy consumption based on CFD simulation

“…Reference [8] explored the relationship between main process parameters such as polishing solution concentration, polishing solution flow rate, polishing wheel speed, and surface quality in experiments on the use of silicon nitride ceramics, and ultimately obtained the optimal combination of process parameters. Reference [9] optimized the polishing pressure, polishing speed, and other process parameters for CaAs substrate polishing using surface roughness and material removal rate as comprehensive evaluation indicators and obtained the best combination of results.…”

Surface Reconstruction of La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ Ceramic toward High Solar Selectivity for High-Temperature Air-Stable Solar–Thermal Conversion

“…14,15 Recently, ceramic materials with high melting points have been used as solar absorber in CSP systems. 9,18 Currently, ceramics based on Al 2 O 3 , 30 SiC, 31 ZrC, 32 vanadium−titanium black ceramic (VTBC), 33,34 absorbers. 35,36 However, Al 2 O 3 ceramics exhibited limited capabilities in absorption due to their low absorption rate.…”