LAUSR

Abstract In present work, a comprehensive simulation method coupled with Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method and Finite Volume Method (FVM) is employed to simulate the complex photo-thermal conversion of PDC system. The whole photo-thermal conversion process is divided into two sub-processes, namely PartⅠ receiver walls absorb solar energy as thermal energy, and PartⅡ receiver walls convey thermal energy to heat transfer fluid (HTF) and ambient air. PartⅠ (optical performance) is evaluated by MCRT and the solar flux distribution on walls is obtained. PartⅡ (thermal performance) is solved by FVM model in which the solar flux on walls is treated as a source term. It is shown that the legitimate adjustment of receiver position, rim angle, tilt angle and emissivity will increase photo-thermal conversion efficiency by 2.6%, 2.4%, 8% and 1.8% respectively. Appropriate mass flow rate in this work is chosen as 0.02 kg/s for insuring high outlet temperature with higher photo-thermal efficiency as possible. In addition, photo-thermal conversion efficiency will largely rise up 8% for every 0.1 growing of absorptivity. These results would enrich the literature archive tremendously and be needed for better solar power generation engineering design.