LAUSR

Abstract The pressurized air receivers used in solar-hybrid concentrated solar power systems play an important role in achieving high solar-electricity efficiency. Here, we have proposed, manufactured and tested a novel pressurized air receiver coupled with sodium-potassium heat pipes under a high-flux solar simulator in well-controlled conditions. Start-up characteristics and thermal performance were analyzed with a heat flux on the receiver of around 130 kW/m2 proven to start the heat pipe thoroughly. Thermal test results showed that the heat pipe receiver could obtain high-temperature outlet air exceeding 600 °C and a high thermal efficiency of 85.01%. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the thermal efficiency is mainly dominated by the air mass flow rate, while the outlet air temperature is influenced by both the input power and the air mass flow rate. Weather simulations of cloud-cover phenomenon demonstrated that the receiver has good thermal inertia and can retain a stable output, which is critical under real operation conditions.