Optimization based on reconstruction of the velocity, temperature, and radiation fields in a porous absorber with continuous linear porosity or pore diameter distribution is carried out in this work. This study analyzes three typical linear pore structure distributions: increasing (“I”), decreasing (“D”), and constant (“C”) types, respectively. In general, the D type porosity (ϕ) layout combined with the I type pore diameter (dp) distribution would be an excellent pore structure layout for a porous absorber. The poor performance range, which should be avoided in the absorber design, is found to be within a wide range of porosity layouts (ϕi = ∼0.7 and ϕo > 0.6) and pore diameter layouts (di = 1.5–2.5 mm), respectively. With a large inlet porosity (ϕi > 0.8), the D type layout with larger porosity gradient (Gp) has a better thermal performance; however, the I type dp layout with a smaller inlet pore diameter (di < 1.5 mm) and a larger pore diameter gradient (Gdp) is recommended when considering the lower pressure drop. Different pore structure layouts (D type or I type) have a significant effect on the pressure drop, even with the same average ϕa and da, the maximum deviation can be up to 70.1%. The comprehensive performance evaluation criteria (PEC) value shows that the D type ϕ layout with a larger ϕa has an excellent thermopressure drop performance, and a part of PEC values for the I type dp layout are greater than unity.
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October 2017
Research-Article
Thermo-Fluid Optimization of a Solar Porous Absorber With a Variable Pore Structure
P. Wang,
P. Wang
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China;
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China;
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
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J. B. Li,
J. B. Li
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
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K. Vafai,
K. Vafai
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
e-mail: vafai@engr.ucr.edu
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
e-mail: vafai@engr.ucr.edu
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L. Zhao,
L. Zhao
China Electric Power Research Institute,
Nanjing 210029, China
Nanjing 210029, China
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L. Zhou
L. Zhou
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
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P. Wang
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China;
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China;
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
J. B. Li
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
K. Vafai
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
e-mail: vafai@engr.ucr.edu
University of California,
Riverside, CA 92521
e-mail: vafai@engr.ucr.edu
L. Zhao
China Electric Power Research Institute,
Nanjing 210029, China
Nanjing 210029, China
L. Zhou
Department of Renewable Energy,
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
Hohai University,
Nanjing 210029, China
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING: INCLUDING WIND ENERGY AND BUILDING ENERGY CONSERVATION. Manuscript received April 10, 2017; final manuscript received June 23, 2017; published online August 23, 2017. Editor: Robert F. Boehm.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Oct 2017, 139(5): 051012 (5 pages)
Published Online: August 23, 2017
Article history
Received:
April 10, 2017
Revised:
June 23, 2017
Citation
Wang, P., Li, J. B., Vafai, K., Zhao, L., and Zhou, L. (August 23, 2017). "Thermo-Fluid Optimization of a Solar Porous Absorber With a Variable Pore Structure." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. October 2017; 139(5): 051012. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4037350
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