A new closed open volumetric receiver concept for parabolic trough collectors (test results)

The volumetric air receiver system is assessed to be favorably applied in central receiver power plants. A study in 1995 in cooperation with FC Consulting encouraged the DLR to transfer its know-how in the field of volumetric receivers to small parabolic trough applications, which may be used for the power generation or process heat generation in the range of 50kW(th) up to 10MW(th). A new receiver concept has been developed in order to adapt the volumetric receiver principle to the parabolic trough collector requirements. The receiver is placed in the line focus of the collector, where usually a tube-type absorber is positioned. The air is heated up from entry to exit conditions when passing the receiver front area in cross direction to the incoming flux. In 1998 DLR tested around 10 different receiver designs in a 1.8 m(2) parabolic trough. A maximum receiver outlet temperature of 250 degrees C was reached. The development phase of this new receiver concept is not terminated and will be continue until 1999.