Characterization of Ni-Al Solar Absorber Prepared by Flame Spray Technique

Abstract:

In this research, a Ni-Al solar absorber was successfully prepared by the flame spray technique with Ni-5 wt.%Al particles as a starting material. The Ni-5 wt.%Al particles were melted and sprayed onto the outer surface of a stainless steel 316L tube in order to form a Ni-Al composite coating. The phase, morphology and reflectance (R) spectrum of the Ni-Al solar absorber were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), a Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer and an Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectrophotometer at the wavelength 300-2500 nm. The results revealed that the surface of the Ni-Al solar absorber was rough, and its cross section was overlapped layer by layer. The Ni-Al solar absorber was composed of Nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al) phases. NiO and Al₂O₃ phases were also found on the surface. The chemical composition of the Ni-Al solar absorber was Ni (72.94 wt.%), Al (11.76 wt.%) and O (15.29 wt.%). The solar absorptance (α) of this solar absorber was 0.77. This demonstrates that a Ni-Al composite coating can be applied as a solar absorber material for solar collector at high operating temperatures.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 675-676)
• Pages: 477-481
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.675-676.477
• Online since: January 2016
• Authors: Chanon Bunmephiphit, Tawat Suriwong*, Somchai Jiajitsawat, Nuchjira Dejang
• Keywords: Flame Spray Technique, Intermetallic Materials, Ni-Al Composite, Nickel Aluminides, Solar Absorber

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