Novel Receiver-Enhanced Solar Vapor Generation: Review and Perspectives

Aikifa Raza, Jin-You Lu, Safa Alzaim, Hongxia Li and TieJun Zhang
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Aikifa Raza: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jin-You Lu: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Safa Alzaim: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Hongxia Li: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE
TieJun Zhang: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-29

Abstract: Efficient solar vapor/steam generation is important for various applications ranging from power generation, cooling, desalination systems to compact and portable devices like drinking water purification and sterilization units. However, conventional solar steam generation techniques usually rely on costly and cumbersome optical concentration systems and have relatively low efficiency due to bulk heating of the entire liquid volume. Recently, by incorporating novel light harvesting receivers, a new class of solar steam generation systems has emerged with high vapor generation efficiency. They are categorized in two research streams: volumetric and floating solar receivers. In this paper, we review the basic principles of these solar receivers, the mechanism involving from light absorption to the vapor generation, and the associated challenges. We also highlight the two routes to produce high temperature steam using optical and thermal concentration. Finally, we propose a scalable approach to efficiently harvest solar energy using a semi-spectrally selective absorber with near-perfect visible light absorption and low thermal emittance. Our proposed approach represents a new development in thermally concentrated solar distillation systems, which is also cost-effective and easy to fabricate for rapid industrial deployment.

Keywords: solar vapor generation; volumetric receiver; floating receiver; thermal concentration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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