The effect of receiver geometry on the optical performance of a small-scale solar cavity receiver for parabolic dish applications

The results of this study have shown that there is a connection between the flux distribution on the internal surfaces of the cavities and their optical efficiency. Moreover, the conical shape receiver received, as well as absorbed, a higher amount of reflected flux energy than the other shapes. The optical efficiency reached 75.3%, 70.1% and 71.5% for the conical, spherical and cylindrical shapes respectively at surface absorptivity of 85%. Also, the focal point location depends on the shape of the cavity receiver and its absorptivity. Thereby, there is an optimum distance for each design depending on these two factors. The results of the simulated work are validated using the experimental work found in the literature.