Temperature uniformity improvement in a solar furnace by indirect heating

• Published in: Solar energy 2016-12, Vol.140, p.141-150
• Main Authors: Oliveira, F.A.C., Fernandes, J.C., Rodríguez, J., Cañadas, I., Galindo, J., Rosa, L.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concentrated solar power; Graphite; Solar heating; Temperature uniformity
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2016.11.004

•High-temperature experiments using graphite receiver discs were carried out up to 1400°C.•Different setup configurations were investigated for improving temperature uniformity.•A configuration for attaining temperature gradients not exceeding 50°C is proposed.•Experiments were carried out in both vacuum and flowing argon atmospheres.•Temperature distribution data in vacuum was similar to that in argon gas. The development of materials capable to work under increasingly extreme conditions requires not only higher processing temperatures but also tight control of temperature uniformity. Aiming at developing an indirect heating receiver design to be integrated in novel concentrated solar furnace for the thermal processing of materials under controlled heating and homogeneous temperature, graphite disc heat receiver systems with varying thickness, geometry and height from the sample holder at the bottom were tested in two types of gas environments, namely dynamic vacuum and under Ar gas flow. Results acquired were quite encouraging demonstrating feasibility of realizing temperature gradient within circa 50°C along the height beneath the top graphite disc and the bottom sample holder.