Optical–Thermal Conversion Performance of Solar Dish Concentrator–Cavity Receiver System Under Tracking Error

Abstract

Tracking error leads to nonuniform flux distribution, local high temperature, and thermal stress of cavity receiver. However, the effects of tracking error on the optical–thermal conversion of dish concentrator–cavity receiver (DCCR) system are unclear. In this article, the optical–thermal coupling model of the DCCR system considering the tracking error is established, and the variations of the thermal performance index (the thermal efficiency, cavity maximum temperature, and outlet temperature) of the DCCR system under different direct normal irradiance (DNI), mass flow rate, inlet temperature, and cavity material are studied in detail. In the results, it is shown that the working condition is constant, tracking error increases, the outlet temperature and thermal efficiency decrease slightly, and the cavity maximum temperature increases. When tracking error is constant, with the increase of DNI or inlet temperature, the outlet and cavity maximum temperature increase, and the thermal efficiency decreases. With the increase of mass flow rate, the outlet and cavity maximum temperature decrease, and thermal efficiency increases. The cavity material with high thermal conductivity is beneficial to reduce the cavity maximum temperature. In this work, guidance for realizing safe and efficient service support can be provided.