Experimental investigation into the thermal performance of a solar steam generator based on spray cooling heat transfer and porous silicon carbide ceramic.

This article focuses on the development and experimental evaluation of a high-temperature solar steam generator enhanced by porous silicon carbide ceramic materials and spray cooling technology. The generator, powered by concentrated solar energy, can produce superheated steam at temperatures up to 800 °C, surpassing typical steam generators that rarely exceed 700–1000 °C. The study investigates how irradiation power, inlet water flow rate, and ceramic porosity (70% and 85%) affect the generator's outlet steam temperature, thermal efficiency, and robustness to fluctuations in solar irradiance. Results indicate that lower porosity ceramics (70%) yield higher outlet temperatures, greater thermal efficiency, and improved resistance to irradiance disturbances, while increasing water flow rate enhances thermal efficiency but lowers outlet temperature. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing solar-driven steam generators for applications such as solid oxide electrolysis cells in hydrogen production.