Transient heat conduction and thermal stress analyses of a compound plate subjected to concentrated sunlight

Since solar energy is nonpolluting and will not be depleted, the development and spread of concentrating solar power technology have been promoting. The study and development of new energies have been also promoting in Miyazaki prefecture. The research project team in faculty of engineering, University of Miyazaki continues to work on study and development of solar energy technologies by making use of Beam-down Solar Concentrator. In the present study, a flat compound plate composed of different kinds of materials is considered in order to examine the heat transfer characteristic and strength at elevated temperature of flat type receiver in which concentrated sunlight is converted to thermal energy. The analytical development of heat conduction and thermal stresses for the compound plate is treated. Then, effects of materials and thickness on the temperature and thermal stresses in the plate are discussed from the theoretical point of view. © 2013 The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.