Solid particle solar receivers (SPRs) can be used as a high efficient solar energy absorber to collect concentrated radiation energy. The high temperature heat energy from SPRs can be applied as a heat source in a thermo-chemical water-splitting (TCWS) hydrogen production process. A parametric study has been conducted on a conceptual design from Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model which includes the heat transfer and aerodynamics behaviors between the air and the particles is used to evaluate the performance of the SPR, both the cavity efficiency and the exit particle temperature. The main purpose of this study is to find the optimal design and working conditions of the SPR. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.