A review of steady-state thermal and mechanical modelling on tubular solar receivers

Tower systems are forecast to become the dominant CSP technology in the future due to the potential to achieve high working fluid temperatures, thereby enhancing thermodynamic efficiency in the power block and facilitating dispatchable electricity through thermal energy storage. The receiver links the solar collector field and power conversion cycle in a tower plant, and is therefore a critical component that requires careful consideration. Tubular receivers represent the most prominent in commercial scale applications, with many research efforts devoted to the characterisation and modelling of such concepts. This article compiles literature engaged in steady-state thermal and mechanical modelling of tubular solar receivers. The discussion outlines contrasting approaches adopted by various authors, while also detailing some important findings from their investigations. Recent studies concerned with evaluating receiver thermal performance indicates a trend towards semi-empirical techniques, offering greater flexibility and accuracy than simplified analytical methods, without imposing a considerable computational expense that is inherent with more detailed numerical models. Such advantages allow for the screening of a large number of geometries, configurations, heat transfer media, tube materials, and operational scenarios at the receiver design stage. Mechanical reliability investigations generally consider thermal and pressure induced stresses, estimating potential damage of the component across its desired lifetime using design code guidelines or tube material data. The selection of thermal stress theory and damage evaluation method is critical to the overall mechanical life prediction, with different approaches presented.