Pool boiler reflux solar receiver for Stirling dish-electric systems

The feasibility of obtaining competitive modular bulk electric power from the Sun, which can be greatly enhanced by the use of a reflux heat pipe receiver to combine a heat engine such as Stirling with a paraboloidal dish concentrator, is discussed. Laboratory-scale experiments have been performed. Initial tests confirmed that boiling is unstable in a baseline boiler. Boiling stability was established after the addition of artificial cavities to the heated surface, and successful boiling of sodium was demonstrated for 100 h. Other stabilizing influences that may have been present are discussed. The flux and geometry closely simulated a real receiver. The results of these tests are presented, along with the design of a full-scale receiver for on-Sun testing and considerations for long-term operation