Abstract
The paper describes the design and status of development of a new open volumetric air receiver prototype. This receiver design, though developed in two phases, constitutes one deliverable in a Spanish project carried out by CIEMAT, IAER and INABENSA. The project, called SIREC, is partially financed by the European Funds for the Regional Development program (FEDER). The receiver prototype is now in fabrication and will be tested in the Sulzer volumetric receiver test facility at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA) in Spain. Testing is scheduled for April, 2001. The prototype design includes an air return system and modular absorber elements, to facilitate their replacement and reduce manufacturing costs. The absorber is wire mesh. A computer code has been set up to select the mesh size (wire diameter and mesh distance) and number of screens. A sensitivity analysis for a variety of operating conditions has been carried out with this code to guide the absorber design and its testing.
