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Three-dimensional numerical study on a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor of a locally-installed Kenics static mixer for efficient hydrogen production

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  • Cheng, Ze-Dong
  • Men, Jing-Jing
  • Liu, Shi-Cheng
  • He, Ya-Ling

Abstract

In this paper, a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor (PTSRR) system of a locally-installed Kenics static mixer (KSM) is proposed for efficient solar thermal hydrogen production. A three-dimensional comprehensive model was established for PTSRRs of the methanol-steam reforming reaction (MSRR) for hydrogen production, by combining the Finite Volume Method and the Monte Carlo ray-tracing method with a MSRR comprehensive kinetic model. The validated model was preliminarily applied to study the effects and mechanisms of the concentrated solar flux nonuniformity and the locally-installed KSM on PTSRR photo-thermal-chemical comprehensive characteristics and performance, taking the methanol flow rate and the catalyst sintering temperature limitation into account. With a preliminary optimization on the concentrated solar flux nonuniformity, the optical efficiency and the solar flux nonuniformity are improved by 6.58% and 30.42% respectively. It is further revealed that these PTSRRs of better concentrated solar flux density nonuniformity also have better thermal-chemical comprehensive characteristics and performance. Novel PTSRRs of the locally-installed KSM have better comprehensive characteristics and performance than corresponding original PTSRRs or even optimized PTSRRs, with a maximum increase in the methanol conversion rate of 6.92%. It thus will operate more safely and more efficiently, by the cost of a little more pump power to overcome corresponding larger flow resistance caused by the locally-installed KSM. From the mechanism, this kind of novel PTSRR of a locally-installed KSM provides a useful option of high potential for improving uniformities of a series of key field variables in the whole photo-thermal-chemical conversion process, and thus improves the comprehensive characteristics and performance of PTSRRs.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Ze-Dong & Men, Jing-Jing & Liu, Shi-Cheng & He, Ya-Ling, 2019. "Three-dimensional numerical study on a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor of a locally-installed Kenics static mixer for efficient hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 131-146.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:250:y:2019:i:c:p:131-146
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.04.179
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    3. Cheng, Ze-Dong & Leng, Ya-Kun & Men, Jing-Jing & He, Ya-Ling, 2020. "Numerical study on a novel parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor and a new control strategy for continuous and efficient hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    4. Zhang, Peiye & Liu, Ming & Zhao, Yongliang & Yan, Junjie, 2023. "Performance analysis on the parabolic trough solar receiver-reactor of methanol decomposition reaction under off-design conditions and during dynamic processes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 583-597.

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