Coiled heat exchanger with beam spreader especially for use with solar-powered gas processors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for solar energy powered gas processing. There is disclosed a processor assembly for use in heating a process or feed gas by means of a convective heat exchanger which receives solar energy from a focused solar energy collector. A specialized heat exchanger is described, which includes a conical envelope into which a metal tube is spirally wound, such that the tube is coiled into a conical spiral corresponding generally to the envelope. A reflective beam spreader is situated near the vertex of the envelope cone to re-direct incident solar radiation toward the exchanger tube. The apparatus thus has a cavity into which solar energy is focused to be incident upon the exchanger tube to superheat a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The heated gas can be used in various gas reaction processes, such as steam methane reformation, a reverse water-gas shift reaction, or to drive a heat engine. Various auxiliary features are disclosed for increasing the efficiency of the solar heat transfer into the flowing process gas.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 127,034 entitled Low Entropy Heat Exchanger, Especially for Use with Solar Gas Processors, and Beam Spreader Useable Therewith, filed on May 10, 2008 and the entire specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)[0003]The present invention relates generally to systems for solar heating and processing of gases, particularly to heat exchangers for use in such systems, and more specifically to a heat exchanger for use in association with a solar energy collector, such as a focusing dish, to convert solar energy into thermal energy to process gases or to drive, for example, a Brayton Engine.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]One of the most critical challenges confronting mankind is that of dwindling sources of non-renewable energy. Consequently, a wide variety of...

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Benefits of technology

[0011]An apparatus and method for solar energy powered gas processing. There is disclosed a processor assembly for use in heating a process or feed gas by means of a convective heat exchanger which receives solar energy from a focused solar energy collector. A specialized heat exchanger is described, which includes a conical envelope into which a metal tube is spirally wound, such that the tube is coiled into a conical spiral corresponding generally to the envelope. A reflective beam spreader is situated near the vertex of the envelope cone to re-direct incident solar radiation toward the exchanger tube. The apparatus thus has a cavity into which solar energy is focused to be incident upon the exchanger tube to superheat a gas or gas mixture flowing through the tube. The heated gas can be used in various gas reaction processes, such as steam methane reformation, a reverse water-gas shift reaction, or to drive a heat engine. Various auxiliary features are disclosed for increasing the efficiency of the solar heat transfer into the flowing process gas.

Problems solved by technology

One of the most critical challenges confronting mankind is that of dwindling sources of non-renewable energy.

The methods and apparatuses of the foregoing two patents, however, involve the heating of the process gases to over 2,000 degrees C., complicating the design, and increasing construction costs, for functional reactor systems.

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