The receiver is an important part for photothermal conversion in the solar tower power station. Thus

modeling and simulation of the receiver is extremely significant for the safety and steady-operation of the plant. The sectional lumped parameter model of the molten salt receiver

whose prototype is Solar Two located in USA

is established by the space discretization of the heat tubes according to the law of conservation of energy and mass. The validity of the model is verified through the comparisons between the test results of the receiver in Solar Two plant and the simulation results. The heat transfer characteristics of the receiver in the cases where the inputs change and the received energy distribution isn't uniform are analyzed by the transient simulation

which can provide the foundation for the investigation of the aiming points strategy and safe operation of the station.