Exact solution for conjugate heat transfer within a solar receiver tube: A comprehensive analysis

Abstract

This study presents exact solutions for the phenomenon of conjugate heat transfer occurring within a solar receiver tube. The investigation focuses on three distinct configurations: (a) tubes with negligible wall thickness, (b) thin-walled tubes, and (c) thick-walled tubes. The primary objective is to offer precise mathematical representations for the distribution of temperature, as well as numerical values of local and average Nusselt numbers. Furthermore, the study delves into the examination of limiting cases to enhance the understanding of the problem at hand and validating the outcomes. The derived solutions are also utilized to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the specific practical scenario involving the flow of molten salt in both Alloy 625 and stainless steel solar receiver tubes. Inspection of the configurations presented in this study demonstrates that the circumferential conduction heat transfer in the tube wall helps to distribute the heat more evenly along the circumference and mitigate the occurrence of localized hot spots.