High temperature solar gas heating comparison between packed and fluidized bed receivers. I

Abstract Present investigation has been concerned with high temperature gas heating through porous media (SiC and ZrO 2 particles) in both a fluidized bed receiver and a packed bed receiver. As a rule, gases being transparent to solar radiation, the porous media act as (i) an absorber (ii) a gas-solid heat exchanger. The main thermal features of the systems have been measured using the 6.5 kW solar furnace of the “Laboratoire d'Energetique Solaire” in Odeillo, France. Theoretical approach, temperature profile, gas outlet temperature as a function of mean flux density, and thermal efficiency of the receiver have been reported. Great improvements of the thermal efficiency may be expected from the newly designed receivers.