Solar receivers for CSP
Heat receivers and heat exchangers
Ceramics capabilities for CSP applications
Saint-Gobain High-Performance Refractories offers a wide-range of oxide and non-oxide technical ceramics. SiC-Ceramics offer unique features especially for CSP usage:
- high temperature usage - max. 1 350° C,
- low thermal gradients, good heat transfer - up to 120W/(m*K),
- small thermal stresses - thermal expansion 4,5 * 10-6/K,
- high efficiency in solar absorption - > 95%,
- strong against thermal shock - max. thermal gradient: 200K/min.
These properties make ceramics an excellent material for high temperature usage and thermal shock conditions (heat exchangers and receivers for solar application).
A shape story
Heat exchangers and receivers can be shaped quite differently depending on your needs and your projects. Tubes and honeycombs are mainly used.
Honeycombs: for larger units up to approximativaly 250 x 250 mm. Smaller units can be joined before firing and machined to size. The outside of the honeycombs can also be coated when a smooth outer surface is required.
Tubes: reference for materials technology established in non-CSP applications. The maximum length is 5 m. The tubes are directly sintered SiC for highest strength.
Heat absorbers
CSP reference projects
- Since 1995 (HITREC-Program),
- 2001-2003 Solair-Program (PSA),
- 2008/2009 Solar Tower in Jülich,
- we are partnering a public research project together with DLR and SIJ, Jülich (OVABSOL).
What's next for HPR and solar power applications?
Saint-Gobain HPR has nearly 15 years of experience in SiC (Silicon Carbide Materials) for CSP applications.
One of the main projects will be the extensive assessment at the Plataforma Solar in Almeria (Spain) with squared designs. In 2009 the first semi-commercial tower plant world-wide has been created in Germany (Jüdlich) with SiC absorbers! See below for photos.
HPR will offer ceramic capabilities in a broader context for:
- Power Towers: volumetric absorber (established) and tubes (new),
- Parabolic Trough and Fresnel (new!): tubes and volumetric absorbers,
- Dish (new!) – receiver structure creation,
- And much more where ceramics will boost solar power technologies!
