Energy applications

Development of a high-tempertaure counter-flow particle receiver for concentrated solar power applications

Many energy intensive processes like the production of cement, steel or the supply of high temperature process heat (above 700°C) are still heavily relying on the combustion of fossil fuels, partly, due to a lack of alternatives. However, if our society wants to successfully transition to a net-zero emission energy system, it is crucial to advance on renewable energy technologies that can tackle these difficult-to-decarbonise energy services ^[1].

Recent years have shown that concentrated solar power (CSP) has the potential to replace conventional processes based on combustion reactors. In this technology, the radiant energy of the sun is getting concentrated by mirrors onto a device called solar receiver, in which the radiative energy is converted into thermal energy by heating up a heat transfer medium (HTM). Afterwards, the thermal energy can be used to run a power block, provide high temperature process heat or to drive highly endothermic chemical reactions like the production of drop-in fuels. The physical state of the HTM can be solid, liquid or gaseous ^[2].

We are working on the development of a counter-flow particle receiver, the counter-flow downer receiver (CFDR), in which cermamic particles are falling gravity-driven against an upward air flow.