The Institute of Solar Research of the DLR conducts research into the technical and economic optimization of solar thermal energy generation at four different locations in Germany and southern Spain. The research and development activities are always application-oriented and close to industry. Our international team consists of highly qualified specialists and engineers who love and enjoy their work.

Solar tower or central receiver systems use sun-tracking mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver at the top of a tower. The advantage of this type of solar plant is the high temperature level that can be reached by heating a heat transfer medium with concentrated radiation. 

The open volumetric receiver uses ambient air as heat transfer fluid. Due to the availability, simplicity, and environmental safety of air as a heat transfer medium in open-type receivers, this type of receiver is promising for high-temperature applications in industrial process heat, power generation and synthetic fuel processes. New receiver concepts and optimal absorber structures developed recently by DLR allow for significant thermal efficiency. But to achieve maximum efficiency of the receivers, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies in which you are invited to participate.  

As part of your master's thesis, you will conduct CFD simulations of the airflow inside a new concept of a high-temperature solar heat receiver. The results of your work will allow us to optimize the geometric design of the receiver and significantly reduce the heat loss with the returned air.

You will be closely integrated into our diverse and highly motivated research team located in Jülich and Köln. The work will be supported by the Institute for Solar Research, leading experts in concentrated solar technology. An experienced colleague will support you throughout your master's work. The tasks and work schedule will be agreed with the responsible professor at your university. For FB4 students at RWTH Aachen University, the thesis can be defined as internal and can be supervised by a DLR professor who has a chair at RWTH.