Carbon Solar Receiver

This project investigates the use of novel small-gauge carbon tubing in high temperature receivers (absorbers for application in solar thermal propulsion and commercial power conversions. The tubing is nonpermeable, strong and readily fabricated into relevant geometries. High solar absorbance optical coatings made of carbon will be integrated with tube surfaces on the cavity interior. The materials and processing are affordable compared to refractory metal vapor deposition methods. Phase I will fabricate subscale tubular receivers to measure mechanical properties and to monitor high temperature hydrogen-carbon interactions using a gas analyzer. The erosion data will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-erosion treatments and of hydrogen fuels that have hydrocarbon additives. The lifetime of high temperature carbon components will be estimated. Receiver designs will be drafted to exploit the power conversion applications. Fabrication scale-up will be illustrated with a component incorporating at least 10 m of small-gauge tubing. Phase 2 would develop further the design, fabrication, and qualification of receivers aimed at solar thermal propulsion and commercial power conversion applications. Phase 3 would manufacture solar receivers and derivative heat exchangers.