Energy and exergy analysis of microchannel central solar receivers for pressurised fluids

Within the new generation of advanced central solar receivers, microchannel pressurised gas receivers are emerging as reliable and efficient alternatives to operate at high temperatures pressures. This paper presents an optimisation comparative analysis different compact plate-fin type structures, constituting receiver’s absorber panels, classified according fin arrangement inside: plain rectangular, triangular, wavy, offset strip, perforated, louvred fin. A versatile thermo-fluid receiver model is implemented, allowing simple variation characteristic geometric parameters each structure. Exergy efficiency chosen function, it considers both heat pressure losses. The framework set by boundary conditions, operating design point conditions a thermal power plant. For structure, optimal configuration determined, providing interesting findings that have not been reported in state-of-the-art date. Although all geometries show good performance, perforated rectangular configurations demonstrate best exergy efficiencies 59.21% 58.80%, respectively, favouring taller narrower channels. methodology could be seamlessly extrapolated other gases working owing model’s versatility, reveal for case.