Numerical modelling and optimisation of natural convection heat loss suppression in a solar cavity receiver with plate fins

•Natural convection heat loss suppression in a solar cavity receiver is presented.•Plate fins are used to suppress natural convection heat loss.•The model is laminar in the range of Raleigh numbers considered.•The geometric parameters considered were optimized using optimization programme.•Reduction of up to a maximum of 20% at 0° receiver inclination was observed.

This study details the numerical modelling and optimization of natural convection heat suppression in a solar cavity receiver with plate fins. The use of plate fins attached to the inner aperture surface is presented as a possible low cost means of suppressing natural convection heat loss in a cavity receiver. In the first part of the study a three-dimensional numerical model that captures the heat transfer and flow processes in the cavity receiver is analyzed, and the possibilities of optimization were then established. The model is laminar in the range of Rayleigh number, inclination angle, plate height and thickness considered. In the second part of the study, the geometric parameters considered were optimized using optimization programme with search algorithm. The results indicate that significant reduction on the natural convection heat loss can be achieved from cavity receivers by using plate fins, and an optimal plate fins configuration exit for minimal natural convection heat loss for a given range of Rayleigh number. Reduction of up to a maximum of 20% at 0° receiver inclination was observed. The results obtained provide a novel approach for improving design of cavity receiver for optimal performance.