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Projecte llegit

Títol: Characterization of innovative materials and composites for concentrated solar power applications

Estudiants que han llegit aquest projecte:

Director/a: ROJAS GREGORIO, JOSEP IGNASI

Departament: FIS

Títol: Characterization of innovative materials and composites for concentrated solar power applications

Data inici oferta: 27-01-2026     Data finalització oferta: 27-09-2026


Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    GR ENG SIST AEROESP
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: EETAC
 
Segon director/a (UPC): IQBAL, NABEEL
 
Paraules clau:
Characterization; microanalysis; innovative; materials; composites; concentrated solar power; CSP; applications; SEM; XRD; mechanical properties
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
Description: This thesis is framed within the Unite! Alliance Seed Fund Project "Concentrated Solar Power and Solar cells - Innovative Materials and Technologies (CSP-IMT) sustainable electricity and heat generation - Training and Innovation". Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems harness solar radiation by concentrating sunlight to generate high-temperature heat, enabling electricity generation via thermodynamic cycles and integration with cost-effective thermal energy storage (TES) systems [1]. Unlike photovoltaic (PV) technologies, CSP provides dispatchable renewable power, making it attractive for flexible grid operation and industrial heat applications [1]. In recent years, significant research has focused on improving the efficiency, durability, and economic viability of CSP systems, considering also the application in remote areas. Key innovations include advanced receiver designs capable of operating above 800-1000 °C and novel materials with enhanced optical, thermal, and corrosion resistance properties [2]. This work presents preliminary results on the characterization of innovative materials and composites for applications in CSP receivers, including solid particle and ceramic volumetric receivers, etc. [3]. Current challenges and future research opportunities in these CSP materials will also be highlighted, with emphasis on extending operational lifetimes, reducing cost, and enabling next-generation CSP architectures.

[1] O. Behar, A. Khellaf, K. Mohammedi, A review of studies on central receiver solar thermal power plants, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 23 (2013) 12-39, doi: 10.1016/J.RSER.2013.02.017
[2] Y. Liu, Y. Wang, D. Huang, Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle: A state-of-the-art review, Energy 189 (2019) 115900, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.115900
[3] F. Nie, F. Bai, Z. Wang, X. Li, R. Yang, Solid particle solar receivers in the next-generation concentrated solar power plant, EcoMat 4(5) (2022) e12207, doi: 10.1002/EOM2.12207


Work plan:
1. Literature review and analysis of relevant bibliography on the state of the art about innovative materials for the receiver/focal/receptor in concentrated solar power technologies and systems
2. Formation on suitable software and experimental equipment to be used, e.g., X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), universal testing machine (UTM), etc.
3. Experimental analysis of the studied materials:
a. preparation of samples for XRD and realization of tests
b. preparation of samples for SEM and realization of tests
c. preparation of samples for UTM and realization of tests
4. Post-processing of the XRD, SEM and UTM experimental results
5. Draw conclusions from the experimental results obtained in this study
6. Write thesis and prepare final oral presentation

Forma prevista de seguiment i orientació a l'estudiant en la realització del treball: Durante el proyecto, la forma prevista de seguimiento y orientación al estudiante se basará en la realización de reuniones periódicas con los supervisores del proyecto (aproximadamente una reunión de 1h por semana), y la elaboración por parte del estudiante de informes de progreso, que serán evaluados y comentados por los supervisores del proyecto.
 
Overview (resum en anglès):
This work assesses the suitability of four candidate materials (alumina, two SiC/SiC ceramic
matrix composites (BJS and ATL, the latter coated with a YSZ-based environmental
barrier coating), and a quasi-isotropic CFRP laminate) for components of a concentrated
solar power (CSP) receiver. The objective is to determine how each material behaves under
the thermal load expected at the focus of a parabolic-dish concentrator and what role
each one can play within the architecture of a CSP system. The materials were characterized
in their initial state and, when possible, after a concentrated solar exposure of about
fifteen days. The experimental methodology combined scanning electron microscopy with
energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for the microstructural and compositional analysis,
Rockwell hardness testing on HRA and HR15W scales depending on the material, and
uniaxial tensile testing on the CFRP laminate. Alumina showed the highest hardness of
the set in its initial state, together with a highly homogeneous surface, although its state
after exposure could not be characterized. The BJS SiC/SiC composite exhibited damage
strictly confined to the irradiated region, while the rest of the component preserved
its original mechanical response. The ATL SiC/SiC composite, on the contrary, underwent
extensive degradation: the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the
YSZ topcoat and the SiC substrate led to coating failure well beyond the directly irradiated
zone. The CFRP laminate showed mechanical properties in the upper range of what can
be expected for standard-modulus quasi-isotropic carbon fiber laminates, although by its
very nature it is restricted to operating temperatures below roughly 250 ¿C.
Keywords: concentrated solar power, ceramic matrix composites, SiC/SiC, microstructural
characterization, mechanical characterization, hardness testing.

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