A detailed numerical model is presented for high-temperature, catalytically enhanced, solar absorption chemical reactors. In these reactors, concentrated solar energy is volumetrically absorbed throughout a porous absorber matrix impregnated with a catalyst. The catalyst promotes heterogeneous reactions with fluid-phase reactant species flowing through the absorber. This paper presents a description of a numerical model and the basic concepts of reactor operation. The numerical model of the absorber includes solar and infrared radiation, heterogeneous chemical reactions, conduction in the solid phase, and convection between the fluid and solid phases. The model is nonlinear primarily due to both the radiative transfer and the heterogeneous chemistry occurring in the absorber. The nonlinear two-point boundary value problem is solved using superposition with orthonormalization and an adaptive solution point scheme. This technique preserves accuracy throughout the domain. The model can be modified for other chemical reactions and can be simplified to model volumetric air-heating receivers.
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Analysis of Catalytically Enhanced Solar Absorption Chemical Reactors: Part I—Basic Concepts and Numerical Model Description
R. E. Hogan, Jr.,
R. E. Hogan, Jr.
Fluid and Thermal Sciences Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
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R. D. Skocypec
R. D. Skocypec
Fluid and Thermal Sciences Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
Search for other works by this author on:
R. E. Hogan, Jr.
Fluid and Thermal Sciences Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
R. D. Skocypec
Fluid and Thermal Sciences Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185
J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 1992, 114(2): 106-111 (6 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 1992
Article history
Received:
January 9, 1991
Revised:
December 2, 1991
Online:
June 6, 2008
Connected Content
A companion article has been published:
Analysis of Catalytically Enhanced Solar Absorption Chemical Reactors: Part II—Predicted Characteristics of a 100 kWchemical Reactor
Citation
Hogan, R. E., Jr., and Skocypec, R. D. (May 1, 1992). "Analysis of Catalytically Enhanced Solar Absorption Chemical Reactors: Part I—Basic Concepts and Numerical Model Description." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 1992; 114(2): 106–111. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2929987
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