Radiative heat transfer and thermal characteristics of Fe-based oxides coated SiC and Alumina RPC structures as integrated solar thermochemical reactor

This paper investigated radiative heat transfer and thermal characteristics of Fe-based oxides coated SiC and Alumina reticulated porous ceramic structures as integrated solar thermochemical reactor. High-flux solar radiation absorption and axial temperature distribution in the ceramic foams reactor were analyzed by adopting surface-to-surface radiation model coupled to the P1 approximation for radiation heat transfer. The radiative heat transfer and thermal characteristics of different foam-type RPC structures, including SiC, CeO₂, FeAl₂O₄, NiFeAlO₄, Fe₃O₄/SiC, and NiFe₂O₄/SiC were evaluated. The mass flow rate and foam structural parameters, including the permeability, pore mean cell size, and extinction coefficients have significantly affected the axial temperature distribution, pressure drop, heat transfer, and fluid flow. Integrated porous structure to the solar receiver could maximize the incorporation of redox powder in the reacting medium, lower the pressure drop, and enhance the thermal performance of the thermochemical reacting system. SiC structure was the candidate materials in the case where more heat flux and high axial temperature distribution is needed. However, Fe-based oxide coated Al₂O₃ structure could be considered regarding the heat transfer enhancement along with the catalyst activity of oxygen carriers for solar thermochemical reacting system performance.