Methodology for thermal design of solar tubular reactors using CFD techniques

Tapia, Elvira; Iranzo, Alfredo; Lucena, Francisco Javier Pino; Rosa, Felipe; Salva, J. Antonio

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.07.186

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…When the solar energy is used to drive a reaction, the receiver is also a reactor. The most general classification of solar reactors/receivers distinguishes between directly and indirectly irradiated reactors, depending on whether the reactive material receives heat directly by irradiation or by conduction from an irradiated surface [6]. A schematic representation of the difference between directly and indirectly irradiated reactors is presented in Figure 1.…”

Section: Generalities Of Solar Receiver/reactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodologies for the Design of Solar Receiver/Reactors for Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

Murmura

Annesini

2020

Processes

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Thermochemical hydrogen production is of great interest due to the potential for significantly reducing the dependence on fossil fuels as energy carriers. In a solar plant, the solar receiver is the unit in which solar energy is absorbed by a fluid and/or solid particles and converted into thermal energy. When the solar energy is used to drive a reaction, the receiver is also a reactor. The wide variety of thermochemical processes, and therefore of operating conditions, along with the technical requirements of coupling the receiver with the concentrating system have led to the development of numerous reactor configurations. The scope of this work is to identify general guidelines for the design of solar reactors/receivers. To do so, an overview is initially presented of solar receiver/reactor designs proposed in the literature for different applications. The main challenges of modeling these systems are then outlined. Finally, selected examples are discussed in greater detail to highlight the methodology through which the design of solar reactors can be optimized. It is found that the parameters most commonly employed to describe the performance of such a reactor are (i) energy conversion efficiency, (ii) energy losses associated with process irreversibilities, and (iii) thermo-mechanical stresses. The general choice of reactor design depends mainly on the type of reaction. The optimization procedure can then be carried out by acting on (i) the receiver shape and dimensions, (ii) the mode of reactant feed, and (iii) the particle morphology, in the case of solid reactants.

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Section: Generalities Of Solar Receiver/reactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodologies for the Design of Solar Receiver/Reactors for Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

Murmura

Annesini

2020

Processes

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“…The geometry of the reactor and the definition of the operating conditions (radiation flux at opening and mass flow and temperature for the inert gas) are required for the model. The modeling methodology described in Tapia et al [39] was used for the development of the CFD model. The methodology was derived for tubular solar reactors.…”

Section: Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The following physical properties were considered: specific heat capacity of the nitrogen gas at constant pressure is 1041 J/kg•K and dynamic viscosity, density and thermal conductivity were defined as functions depending on temperature. The pressure drop in the porous media (ferrite pellets within the tubes) was modelled by Darcy's law with linear and quadratic coefficients as introduced in the previous model by the authors [39]. Pressure drop was 50 kPa.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Tubular Reactor for Hydrogen Production: CFD Thermal Design and Experimental Testing

Tapia

González-Pardo²,

Iranzo

et al. 2019

Processes

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This study presents the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) thermal design and experimental tests results for a multi-tubular solar reactor for hydrogen production based on the ferrite thermochemical cycle in a pilot plant in the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA). The methodology followed for the solar reactor design is described, as well as the experimental tests carried out during the testing campaign and characterization of the reactor. The CFD model developed for the thermal design of the solar reactor has been validated against the experimental measurements, with a temperature error ranging from 1% to around 10% depending on the location within the reactor. The thermal balance in the reactor (cavity and tubes) has been also solved by the CFD model, showing a 7.9% thermal efficiency of the reactor. CFD results also show the percentage of reacting media inside the tubes which achieve the required temperature for the endothermic reaction process, with 90% of the ferrite pellets inside the tubes above the required temperature of 900 °C. The multi-tubular solar reactor designed with aid of CFD modelling and simulations has been built and operated successfully.

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“…By this way, the aerodynamics of vehicles like GM and Ford was deeply improved based on CFD studies. Currently, the simulation to characterize and solve problems using CFD is widely used due to the existence of a greater number of researchers involved in this issue, as well as due to the existence of more powerful computers [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The following sections will mention research works with FEM simulation, namely, the study of mechanical properties, defects and deformation material, wear and tribological performance of tools, contact between the coated PVD tool and the workpiece, PVD coating thermomechanical properties, coating fracture surface and CFD simulation, namely, process gas species into the sputtering chamber, temperature, pressure and velocity distribution optimization, fluid flow dynamics, thermal evaluation in a reactor design, evaluate, predict, improve and/or optimize processes like in biomass combustion [34,[38][39][40][41], in fuel combustion [42], in different conditions and reactors types, such as solar tubular, a continuous Photo Fuel Cell (PFC), tubular Pd-Ag membrane, industrial Claus and industrial PVD reactors, among others [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. These challenges motivated researchers to improve performance of coatings, giving rise to several variants of coatings techniques.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation Applied to PVD Reactors: An Overview

et al. 2018

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The technological evolution in the last century also required an evolution of materials and coatings. Therefore, it was necessary to make mechanical components subject to heavy wear more reliable, improving their mechanical strength and durability. Surfaces can contribute decisively to extending the lifespan of mechanical components. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) technologies have emerged to meet the new requirements that have enabled a remarkable improvement in the morphology, composition and structure of films as well as an improved adhesion to the substrate allowing a greater number of diversified applications. Thin films deposition using PVD coatings has been contributing to tribological improvement, protecting their surfaces from wear and corrosion, as well as enhancing their appearance. This process can be an advantage over other processes due to their excellent properties and environmental friendly behavior, which gives rise to a large number of studies in mathematical modelling and numerical simulation, like finite element method (FEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This review intends to contribute to a better PVD process knowledge, in the fluids and heat area, using CFD simulation methods focusing on the process energy efficiency improvement regarding the industrial context with the sputtering technique.

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Methodology for thermal design of solar tubular reactors using CFD techniques

Cited by 11 publications

References 34 publications

Methodologies for the Design of Solar Receiver/Reactors for Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

Methodologies for the Design of Solar Receiver/Reactors for Thermochemical Hydrogen Production

Multi-Tubular Reactor for Hydrogen Production: CFD Thermal Design and Experimental Testing

Numerical Simulation Applied to PVD Reactors: An Overview

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