Development of a direct contact heat exchanger for a particle heating concentrator solar power application

Abstract

This thesis will report on the conceptual and preliminary designs and performance analysis and preliminary cost estimation of a particle to fluid direct contact heat exchanger. Which will be used in a particle heating receiver-based concentrator for a solar tower power application with an air breathing gas turbine power block. The conceptual design will review existing designs, such as the disc and donut design, and innovative designs, such as a discrete structure porous fill. Particular emphasis will be on the consideration of particle introduction and removal technology as well as inlet particle distribution, including a scale model observations and evaluation. Another emphasis will be on particle retention to prevent damage to downstream system components, especially the gas turbine. One or more suitable designs will be identified, and an engineering performance and a cost model will be developed and compared. The most feasible design will be proposed for further research.