Solar test of an integrated sodium reflux heat pipe receiver/reactor for thermochemical energy transport

A chemical reactor for carbon dioxide reforming of methane was integrated into a sodium reflux heat pipe receiver and tested in the solar furnace of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. The receiver/reactor was a heat pipe with seven tubes inside an evacuated metal box containing sodi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy 1992, Vol.48 (1), p.21-30
Main Authors: Diver, R.B., Fish, J.D., Levitan, R., Levy, M., Meirovitch, E., Rosin, H., Paripatyadar, S.A., Richardson, J.T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
140505 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical, Photobiological, & Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
ALKALI METALS
Applied sciences
CALENTAMIENTO
CALOR
CHALEUR
CHAUFFAGE
CHEMICAL REACTORS
Chemicals
ELEMENTS
ENERGIA SOLAR
ENERGIE SOLAIRE
Energy
Energy & Fuels
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY TRANSFER
Equipments, installations and applications
EVACUATED COLLECTORS
Exact sciences and technology
FLUIDS
FURNACES
Gases
HEAT
HEAT PIPES
HEAT STORAGE
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
HEATING
ISRAEL
LATENT HEAT
METALS
Natural energy
Science & Technology
SODIO
SODIUM
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
solar furnace
SOLAR FURNACES
Solar thermal conversion
STORAGE
Technology
THERMOCHEMICAL HEAT STORAGE
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Summary:A chemical reactor for carbon dioxide reforming of methane was integrated into a sodium reflux heat pipe receiver and tested in the solar furnace of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. The receiver/reactor was a heat pipe with seven tubes inside an evacuated metal box containing sodium. The catalyst, 0.5 wt% Rh on alumina, filled two of the tubes with the front surface of the box serving as the solar absorber. In operation, concentrated sunlight heated the front plate and vaporized sodium from a wire mesh wick attached to the other side. Sodium vapor condensed on the reactor tubes, releasing latent heat and returning to the wick by gravity. The receiver system performed satisfactorily in many tests under varying flow conditions. The maximum power absorbed was 7.5 kW at temperatures above 800°C. The feasibility of operating a heat pipe receiver/reactor under solar conditions was proven, and the advantages of reflux devices confirmed.
ISSN:0038-092X
1471-1257
DOI:10.1016/0038-092X(92)90173-8