太阳能高温热化学反应器研究进展

Review of solar high-temperature thermochemical reactor

将高温光热转换和热化学过程集成,可使太阳能和化石资源(包括水或生物质)提级为氢或合成气资源,是热点课题之一。太阳能高温反应器是实现该过程的关键,但存在均温性差、转化效率低及反应物烧结失效的缺点。本文简述了太阳能高温热化学转化过程的原理,回顾了其由直接热解水制氢演变至化石资源改质和提级的历程,分析了塔式和碟式高温热发电集热器(也称为吸热器或接收器)移植用作太阳能高温反应器的可行性及其局限。综述了直接照射式和间接照射式太阳能高温反应器的研究进展,评述了热管(板)在改善太阳能高温反应器均温性和提高传热效率上的优势,阐述了间接照射式太阳能高温反应器在热化学转化过程的典型示范。指出基于热管(板)的间接照射式太阳能高温反应器为主导发展方向之一。

Using solar energy to drive high-temperature thermochemical process has the potential to produce hydrogen or synthesis gas. Both solar energy and fossil resources （including water or biomass） are upgraded through this integrated process. Recently,research interests have been focused on this process. The solar high-temperature reactor （SHTR） is one of the keys to this process. The shortcomings of traditional SHTRs,such as large temperature gradient in reaction areas,low thermo-chemical conversion efficiency and inactivation of reactants due to sintering,are the main barriers to its commercialization. Principles of solar thermochemical conversion are briefly introduced. The solar high-temperature thermochemical conversion process was originally hydrogen production by direct thermal dissociation of water,and evolved to modification or upgrading of fossil resources. SHTRs were derived from solar collectors （also known as solar absorbers or receivers） commonly used in solar tower or dish concentrating power generation. The feasibility and limitation of this transplantation are discussed. Directly and indirectly irradiated SHTRs are classified and reviewed. The distinct advantages of high heat transfer performance and uniform temperature are summarized for novel heat pipe/plate based SHTRs. Also,typical demonstrations of indirectly irradiated SHTRs in thermochemical conversion process are presented. At last,the future main research areas and potential applications of advanced indirectly irradiated heat pipe/plate based SHTRs,are presented.