Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2023, Mechanical Engineering

Particle systems for concentrating solar applications present a non-trival challenge to adequately model with DEM software. A compiled modeling suite for radiative exchange, coined DEM+, is directly integrated into commercial software Aspherix®. A presentation of this modeling suite, advantages, and disadvantages is followed by an expanded look at the Distance Based Approximation (DBA) method for estimating particle-particle and particle-wall radiative exchange of more realistic particle size distributions and some simple binary mixtures. In addition, design, operation, and preliminary experimental results for a lab-scale multi-stage falling particle curtain are evaluated with particle image velocimetry (PIV) from two perspectives with discussion of the challenges therein. A room temperature DEM model of investigated particles is compared to experimental results with emphasis on future work for material calibration for DEM+.

Committee: Andrew Schrader (Committee Chair); Kevin Hallinan (Committee Member); Andrew Chiasson (Committee Member); Rydge Mulford (Committee Member) Subjects: Alternative Energy; Energy; Experiments; Mechanical Engineering; Sustainability