Development of a Solarized Rotary Kiln for High-Temperature Chemical Processes
Abstract
This work presents the design, characterization and commissioning of a directly-irradiated solar rotary reactor, which can be used for multiple applications such as chemical reactions (solar chemistry), thermochemical process or studies about mechanical strength and attrition of different materials, focusing on thermochemical reactions of manganese oxide. The main features of the reactor and test bed are as follows: samples are directly irradiated by concentrated radiation provided by a 7kWe high-flux solar simulator (HFSS) and a rotating cavity that promotes good mass and heat transfer, as well as high surface area for the reactions. Optical simulations and CFD analysis show that 1 kW of incident power and 1700 K can be achieved at the reaction zone, which is located at the secondary focus of the high-flux solar simulator. Manganese oxide cylindrical pellets (85% Mn3O4, 15% Mn2O3, mean particle size 3.5 mm) are used to perform the thermochemical reactions. X-Ray Diffraction is used to analyze the pellets composition before and after the test. A full conversion of the initial 15% of Mn2O3 is achieved.
Keywords
Solar reactors, Solar simulator, Rotary kiln, Manganese oxide