Carbon Solar Receiver Technology Description ESLI investigated the use of novel small-gauge carbon tubing in high temperature receivers and absorbers. This tubing is nonpermeable, readily fabricated into relevant geometries, and can be coated with high solar absorbance optical coatings for solar thermal propulsion and commercial power conversion applications.. Potential Benefits The materials and processing are more affordable than traditional refractory metal vapor deposition methods used in solar thermal propulsion and commercial power conversion applications. Development Status ESLI performed a Phase 1 SBIR contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop coatings and materials for solar thermal propulsion and commercial power conversion applications. Subscale tubular receivers were fabricated to measure mechanical properties and to monitor high temperature hydrogen-carbon interactions using a gas analyzer. The erosion data was used to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-erosion treatments and of hydrogen fuels that have hydrocarbon additives. The lifetime of high temperature carbon components was estimated and receiver designs were drafted to exploit the power conversion applications. Fabrication scale-up was illustrated with a component incorporating over 10 m of small-gauge tubing. U.S. Air Force Phase 1 SBIR (FO4611-95-C-0059) |
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