Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Temperature Field of Molten Salt Linear Fresnel Collector

Linggang Kong (), Yuan Niu, Duojin Fan, Minsen Shi and Ziyi Zheng
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Linggang Kong: Engineering Research Center for Photothermal Energy Storage Integrated Energy System, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yuan Niu: National Engineering Research Center for Technology and Equipment of Environmental Deposition, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Duojin Fan: Engineering Research Center for Photothermal Energy Storage Integrated Energy System, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Minsen Shi: National Engineering Research Center for Technology and Equipment of Environmental Deposition, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Ziyi Zheng: National Engineering Research Center for Technology and Equipment of Environmental Deposition, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: A complex operating environment and high operating temperature lead to the uneven temperature field distribution of key components of the molten salt Linear Fresnel collector in a way that compromises the collector’s safety and stability. To investigate the influence of different working conditions on the temperature field of the molten salt Linear Fresnel collector under multi-physical field conditions, this study develops a three-dimensional numerical model based on ANSYS that integrates the loading of solar radiation and thermal–fluid coupling, compares and verifies the accuracy of the model through the collector field data of the actual operation, and systematically analyzes the distribution characteristics of the receiver tube and outlet temperature field and its rule of change. The results show that temperatures of the receiver tube and exit during operation exhibit pronounced non-uniform distribution characteristics, in which the inlet flow rate of the molten salt and intensity of solar irradiation have the most critical influence on the temperature distribution throughout the receiver tube and its exit, and the heat transfer temperature difference between the molten salt and heat conduit wall is reduced as the inlet temperature raises, which makes the receiver tube and molten salt outlet temperature gradient slightly reduced. This study not only supplements and improves the numerical simulation study of the molten salt Linear Fresnel collector under complex working conditions but also reveals the distribution law of the temperature field between the receiver tube and the outlet, which provides adequate numerical support for the safe and stable operation of the collector.

Keywords: molten salt Linear Fresnel; numerical simulation; solar radiation load; heat flow coupling; temperature field (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: 2025
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