Numerical Analysis of Non-Sphericity of Particles of Powder Material and their Effect on Packing Structure for Concentrated Solar Power Applications

Abstract:

Concentrated solar power technology represents a novel approach to generating solar power, characterized by high solar radiation density and uninterrupted operation. To store thermal energy and extend system operating hours, concentrated solar power systems rely on thermal energy storage. Selecting the appropriate heat storage media is crucial for designing a cost-efficient and straightforward system capable of withstanding high processing conditions. Among many powder materials, bauxite powder stands out as alternatives to conventional molten salt for thermal storage media due to its widespread availability and suitability for operating conditions. Particle shape, particularly its sphericity, plays a vital role in efficiently packing particles which directly affects to heat transfer properties. To investigate this effect, three samples of particles with different shape were formed: spheres, ellipses, and cylinders using Discrete Element Method with equal volume and material properties, and only variation of their sphericity factors. The study focused on the analysis of the porosity of the packed bed of particles with different shapes and its influence on the packing structure properties. The analysis of local packing fraction revealed that elliptical and cylindrical particles samples exhibited reduced heap formation and a more uniform distribution along z direction during vertical packing. The coordination number and radial distribution function analyses for these non-spherical particles showed a greater number of contacts between particles and disordered distribution of particles due to mechanical interlocking of non-spherical particles. The results indicated that the deviation of sphericity has a positive impact on the denser packing of particles generated more contacts and higher local packing fraction.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 432)
• Pages: 109-114
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-J8HsLN
• Online since: March 2024
• Authors: Aidana Boribayeva*, Xeniya Gvozdeva, Boris Golman
• Keywords: Concentrated Solar Power, Discrete Element Method, Non-Spherical Particles, Packing Analysis, Sphericity

References

[1] W. Fang, S. Chen, S., J. Xu and K.Zeng: Energy Vol. 217 (2021)

[2] M. V. Bagepalli, J. D. Yarrington, A. J. Schrader, Z. M. Zhang, D. Ranjan and P. G. Loutzenhiser: Sol. Ener. Vol. 207 (2020), pp.77-90

[3] T. Baumann and S. Zunnft: Sol. Ener. Mat. and Sol. Cells Vol. 143 (2015), 38-47

[4] C. K. Ho: Sol. Ener. Vol. 152 (2017), pp.38-56

[5] R. P. Zou and A. B. Yu: Powder Technol. Vol. 88(1) (1996), pp.71-79

[6] A. Donev, I. Cisse, D. Sachs, E. A. Variano, F. H. Stillinger, R. Connelly and P. M. Chaikin: Sci. Vol. 303(5660) (2004), pp.990-993.

DOI: 10.1126/science.1093010

[7] B. Zhao, X. An, Y. Wang, H. Zhao, L. Shen, X. Sun, and R. Zou: Powder Technol. Vol. 360 (2020), pp.21-32

[8] E. V. Timofeeva, J. L. Routbort, and D. Singh: J. of appl. phys. Vol. 106(1) (2009)

[9] A. S. Sabu, A. Wakif, S. Areekara, A. Mathew and N. A. Shah: ICHMT Vol. 129 (2021), p.105711

[10] J. Wunschmann and E. Schlunder: Int. Chem. Eng. Vol. 20 (1980), pp.555-563

[11] P. A. Cundall and O. D. L. Strack: Géotechnique Vol. 30(3) (1980), pp.331-336

[12] G. W. Delaney and P. Cleary: AIP Conf. Proc. Vol. 1145 (2009), p.837–840

[13] G. G. Pereira and P. W. Cleary: Granul. Matter Vol. 19 (2017), p.23

[14] Q. Qian, L. Wang, X. An, Y. Wu, J. Wang, H. Zhao, and X. Yang: Powder Technol. Vol.325 (2018), 151–160

[15] C. Zhang, J. Gao, Y. Xu, Y. Xia, X. Wei, X. Su and L. Zeng: Particuology Vol. 63 (2022), pp.35-46

[16] A. H. Barr: IEEE Comput. Graph. Anim. Vol. 1 (1981), pp.11-23

[17] H. Waddell: Journal of Geology Vol. 43 (1935), pp.250-280

[18] Aspherix®, DCS Computing GmbH, Linz, Austria, (2021)

[20] C. Zhang, S. Zhao, J. Zhao, and X. Zhou: Powder Technol. Vol. 379 (2021), pp.251-264

[21] J. Zhao, S. Li, R. Zou and A. B. Yu: Soft Matter Vol. 8(4) (2012), p.1003–1009

[22] C. Wensrich: Powder Technol. Vol. 219 (2012), p.118–127

[23] J. Gan, A. Yu, and Z. Zhou: Chem. Eng. Sci. Vol. 156 (2016), pp.64-76