The technology of concentrating solar power tower plant with molten salt is currently the predominant photothermal power generation technology globally. The performance of the molten salt receiver

which serves as the core device for converting solar energy into heat

directly influences the system's power generation efficiency.Additionally

the safety of the receiver affects the operational hours of the power plant. Consequently

it is crucial to develop a heat transfer model for the molten salt receiver and ascertain its precise heat transfer characteristics.This paper systematically organizes the heat transfer calculation model for the mainstream external cylindrical molten salt receiver

delineating the calculation process and fundamental methods for input radiant energy

radiant heat loss

convective heat loss

and molten salt heat gain within the heat transfer model. Based on the refinement level of the calculation outcomes

the heat transfer model of the receiver is bifurcated into a detailed model and a simplified model. While the detailed model boasts high calculation accuracy

offering a comprehensive representation of the actual energy conversion process

it is computationally expensive and requires extended transient process calculations. Conversely

its specific working condition calculations serve as a verification reference for the simplified model's results. The simplified model entails a judicious simplification of the theoretical model that describes the heat transfer characteristics of the molten salt receiver

facilitating faster calculations while maintaining accuracy. It is predominantly employed during the design phase. By comparing and contrasting the characteristics and performance of these models

technical guidance can be offered for selecting appropriate heat transfer models for thermal performance calculation processes in molten salt receivers.