Dellar, Kyle EricLe Roux, Willem GabrielMeyer, Josua P.2021-01-082020-08Dellar, K.E., Le Roux, W.G. & Meyer, J.P. 2020, 'Plate-style recuperator for a solar Brayton cycle using high-temperature sealant', Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 177, art. 115439, pp. 1-15.1359-4311 (print)1873-5606 (online)10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115439http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77966A large, efficient recuperator is required for high cycle efficiency in a solar Brayton cycle (STBC) with an open-cavity solar receiver and air as working fluid. A recuperator often requires complex and costly manufacturing methods. In this work, a clamped plate-type recuperator with a metal gasket is investigated, together with a low-cost high-temperature sodium silicate-based sealant. Experimental investigations were performed to validate a mathematical model using a novel bone-shape design as well as a wide-channel design. The high-temperature sealant worked well on the bone-shape recuperator; however, a leak occurred on the hot-side header tube of the wide-channel recuperator. For the recuperator core of the wide-channel test rig, a cold-side effectiveness of 82.5% and a total pressure loss of 24.9 kPa were found at an average mass flow rate of 0.74 g/s per channel. The validated mathematical model was used in a parametric study to analyse the performance of the recuperator in an STBC by taking the stress and deflection of the plates into consideration. Results show that, for a total mass flow rate of 0.06 kg/s, a cold-side effectiveness of 90% and total pressure loss of less than 5% could be achieved, if a spacer is implemented to prevent deflection.en© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Applied Thermal Engineering. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 177, art. 115439, pp. 1-15, 2020. doi : 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115439.Solar Brayton cycle (STBC)RecuperatorSodium silicateSealantCounterflowPlate-typeBraytonEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionPostprint Article