Molten salt power tower: Max receiver flux

Hello

I am trying to simulate a central tower thermal plant and I would be interested in quantify the effect of the receiver max flux limit.

This effect is clearly-defined in the receiver thermodynamic characteristics. I have studied some models and I haven’t found any difference on the receiver thermal output for different ranges of the max flux limit. How does this parameter affect to the receiver?

Also, I would like to know where I could find detailed information about this parameter.

Best regards,
Esteban

Dear Esteban,

The role of the Max Receiver Flux variable on the Tower and Receiver page is described in the page's Help topic:

"The upper limit of solar radiation incident on the receiver allowed to be reflected from the heliostat field. SAM ensures that the optimal receiver size and heliostat positions do not result in a receiver flux that exceeds this value."

Modeling a power tower system in SAM is a two step process: First you run the Optimzation Wizard (from the Solar Field page) to determine the lowest cost combination of field layout and tower height. Then you run the simulation to calculate the amount of electricity the system will generate.

Varying the maximum flux parameter without running the optimization wizard will not affect the results.

Best regards,
Paul.