An overview of ultra-refractory ceramics for thermodynamic solar energy generation at high temperature

RENEWABLE ENERGY

卷:133

Article

Silvestroni, Laura¹  Sciti, Diletta¹  Zoli, Luca¹  Balbo, Andrea^1,2  Zanotto, Federica²  Orru, Roberto³  Licheri, Roberta³  Musa, Clara³  Mercatelli, Luca⁴  Sani, Elisa⁴ 

[1] CNR ISTEC, Inst Sci & Technol Ceram, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018 Faenza, Italy

[2] Univ Ferrara, Engn Dept, Corros & Met Study Ctr Aldo Dacco, G Saragat 1, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy

[3] Univ Cagliari, Mech Engn Chem & Mat Dept, Via Marengo 2, I-09123 Cagliari, Italy

[4] CNR INO, Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy

关键词: Ultra-high temperature ceramics;    ZrB2;    Optical properties;    Solar absorbers;    Concentrating solar power;    Ageing;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.renene.2018.08.036

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

An efficiency improvement of concentrating solar power systems relies on a significant increase of the operating temperatures, exceeding 600 degrees C. This goal can be achieved through the use of solar absorbers possessing high spectral selectivity and stability at such temperatures. Suitable alternatives to the largely used silicon carbide can be found in the ultra-high temperature ceramics class. This study focuses on the effect of processing, microstructure evolution and surface texture on the optical properties at room and high temperature. ZrB2-based ceramics are taken as case study to detect any correlation amongst composition, porosity, mean grain size, roughness and spectral selectivity. In addition, the effect of surface variation, induced by chemical etching or by exposure to oxidizing environment, thus simulating the actual operation conditions, are evaluated and compared to SiC optical properties. Absorbance and solar selectivity are discussed as a function of the microstructural and surface properties upon detailed roughness characterization. Advantages in the use of UHTCs as solar absorbers, strength and criticalities related to the use of these ceramics in comparison with SiC are discussed. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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