Aging of solar absorber materials under highly concentrated solar fluxes

This article introduces an experimental approach to study the aging of absorber materials used in the receivers of CSP power plants. The term ‘aging’ is discussed in the case of solar absorber materials and a definition is suggested. A two-layer material (metal+paint coating) that is commonly used i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2014-04, Vol.123, p.211-219
Main Authors: Boubault, Antoine, Claudet, Bernard, Faugeroux, Olivier, Olalde, Gabriel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorber
Aging
Applied sciences
Coating
CSP
Devices
Durability
Electric power plants
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical power engineering
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Irradiance
Miscellaneous
Natural energy
Non classical power plants
Paints
Photovoltaic power plants
Protective coatings
Receivers
Solar collectors
Solar energy
Solar receiver
Solar thermal conversion
Solar thermal power plants
Thermophysical properties
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Summary:This article introduces an experimental approach to study the aging of absorber materials used in the receivers of CSP power plants. The term ‘aging’ is discussed in the case of solar absorber materials and a definition is suggested. A two-layer material (metal+paint coating) that is commonly used in solar tower receivers is studied. Accelerated aging tests are performed on this material with the Solar Accelerated Aging Facility (SAAF) available at PROMES laboratory (Odeillo, France). To evaluate the aging state of the samples after being solar-treated, the thermoradiative and thermophysical properties that characterize the aging of the coating are estimated with two experimental devices. The results show the influence of the mean irradiance, amplitude, period, and exposure time of the radiative cycles on the estimated properties. The absorptance appears to be the most sensitive property causing the thermal performance to decrease. Particular attention should be paid to the application of the paint coating which needs to be vitrified carefully in order to obtain optimal and stable absorption properties. •A definition of ‘aging’ is suggested in the case of solar absorber materials.•A facility named SAAF allows accelerated aging tests to be performed.•The influence of periodic solar irradiance variations on aging is evaluated.•The evolution of the properties is related to the decrease in the thermal performance.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2014.01.010