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A two-cavity reactor for solar chemical processes: heat transfer model and application to carbothermic reduction of ZnO

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  • Wieckert, Christian
  • Palumbo, Robert
  • Frommherz, Ulrich

Abstract

A 5 kW two-cavity beam down reactor for the solar thermal decomposition of ZnO with solid carbon has been developed and tested in a solar furnace. Initial exploratory experiments show that it operates with a solar to chemical energy conversion efficiency of about 15% when the solar flux entering the reactor is 1300 kW/m2, resulting in a reaction chamber temperature of about 1500 K. The solid products have a purity of nearly 100% Zn. Furthermore, the reactor has been described by a numerical model that combines radiant and conduction heat transfer with the decomposition kinetics of the ZnO–carbon reaction. The model is based on the radiosity exchange method. For a given solar input, the model estimates cavity temperatures, Zn production ra4tes, and the solar to chemical energy conversion efficiency. The model currently makes use of two parameters which are determined from the experimental results: conduction heat transfer through the reactor walls enters the model as a lumped term that reflects the conduction loss during the experiments, and the rate of the chemical reaction includes an experimentally determined term that reflects the effective amount of ZnO and CO participating in the reactor. The model output matches well the experimentally determined cavity temperatures. It suggests that reactors built with this two-cavity concept already on this small scale can reach efficiencies exceeding 25%, if operated with a higher solar flux or if one can reduce conduction heat losses through better insulation and if one can maintain or improve the effective amount of ZnO and CO that participates in the reaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Wieckert, Christian & Palumbo, Robert & Frommherz, Ulrich, 2004. "A two-cavity reactor for solar chemical processes: heat transfer model and application to carbothermic reduction of ZnO," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 771-787.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:29:y:2004:i:5:p:771-787
    DOI: 10.1016/S0360-5442(03)00183-X
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steinfeld, A. & Brack, M. & Meier, A. & Weidenkaff, A. & Wuillemin, D., 1998. "A solar chemical reactor for co-production of zinc and synthesis gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(10), pages 803-814.
    2. Steinfeld, A. & Larson, C. & Palumbo, R. & Foley, M., 1996. "Thermodynamic analysis of the co-production of zinc and synthesis gas using solar process heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 205-222.
    3. Fletcher, Edward A. & Macdonald, Frank J. & Kunnerth, Dennis, 1985. "High temperature solar electrothermal processing—II. Zinc from zinc oxide," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 10(12), pages 1255-1272.
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    6. Gabriel Zsembinszki & Aran Solé & Camila Barreneche & Cristina Prieto & A. Inés Fernández & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2018. "Review of Reactors with Potential Use in Thermochemical Energy Storage in Concentrated Solar Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-23, September.
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    8. Koepf, E. & Alxneit, I. & Wieckert, C. & Meier, A., 2017. "A review of high temperature solar driven reactor technology: 25years of experience in research and development at the Paul Scherrer Institute," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 620-651.
    9. Sheline, W. & Matthews, L. & Lindeke, N. & Duncan, S. & Palumbo, R., 2013. "An exploratory study of the solar thermal electrolytic production of Mg from MgO," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 163-170.

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