Solar collectors

a solar collector and collector technology, applied in the field of solar collectors, can solve the problems of high startup and maintenance costs, affecting the maximum temperature,

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-04-25
AXISOL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In some embodiments, a solar collector comprises a plurality of dual axis solar reflectors supported by a reflector support structure, each of the plurality of solar reflectors for focusing solar radiation at one of a plurality of receivers disposed along a heat transfer tube for conveying a thermal energy storage material. In cases in which the solar collector includes three or more solar reflectors, the plurality of solar reflectors (“reflectors”) may be disposed in-line with one another.

Problems solved by technology

Ultimately, this may affect the maximum temperature that may be achieved at the receiver placed at the top of the tower in thermal systems.
Currently, solar towers are massive structures that may use a considerable amount of materials, which may lead to high startup and maintenance costs.

Method used

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Examples

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example 1

[0068]As an illustrative example, an increase of about 1% in solar to electric efficiency (for example, from 20% to 21%) results in an increase of (21-20) / 20=5% in the electricity produced by a plant for generating power with the aid of energy provided by solar collectors. Assuming that the total solar to electric efficiency of a trough (or solar collector)-based power plant is 20%, improvements in efficiency that reduce intercept losses and employ molten salts, as described above, may result in a final efficiency of 0.2*(1 / 0.9)*(0.4 / 0.35)=0.254, or about 25%. Electricity production may be increased by 25% relative to a standard trough plant. This effectively reduces the cost of generating power by the plant by about a quarter.

example 2

[0069]An array of solar collectors may include five solar collectors adjacent one another, as illustrated in

[0070]FIG. 2. The solar collectors include reflectors, an absorber tube running down array of reflectors, and receivers at focal points of the reflectors. Solar energy incident on the reflectors is reflected to the receivers. The receivers are spherical receivers, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A thermal energy transfer material including sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate (in a 3-to-2 ratio) is successively heated with the aid of the reflectors from an initial temperature of about 200° C. to a final temperature of about 600° C. The thermal energy storage material is then used to generate steam, which is subsequently used to generate power in a turbine.

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Abstract

An array of solar collectors includes dual axis reflectors for directing solar radiation to receivers at focal points of the reflectors. Solar radiation is used to heat a thermal energy storage material, which may be used to generate steam for use in power generation with the aid of a turbine. The dual axis reflectors may pivot about independent axes of rotation, thereby enabling use of the reflectors throughout the year.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 324,730, filed on Apr. 15, 2010, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Solar energy may be collected and converted into other forms of energy. Photovoltaic devices may convert photons into electrical energy, while solar thermal devices convert sunlight into heat energy.[0003]Currently, a central receiver solar power system may consist of an array of heliostat mounted mirrors that track the motion of the sun and focus light to a central point at the top of a tower. The pointing accuracy of the heliostat mirrors is a key parameter that may affect the ultimate performance of the system and determines the concentration ratio (or efficiency) the system may achieve. Ultimately, this may affect the maximum temperature that may be achieved at the receiver placed at the top of the tower in thermal systems.[0004]Solar central receiver tower systems ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F24J2/38F24J2/46F24J2/10F24J2/26F24S10/70F24S10/75F24S10/95F24S20/20F24S23/70F24S23/71F24S23/74F24S50/20
CPCF24J2/10Y02E10/47F24J2/38F24J2/4654Y02E10/44F24J2/24F24J2/12F24J2/14F24J2002/075F24J2002/1019Y02E10/42Y02E10/45F24J2/07F24J2/32F24J2/51F24J2/5424F03G6/067Y02E10/46Y02E10/41F24J2/26F24S10/70F24S10/95F24S20/20F24S23/74F24S30/455F24S80/60F24S2020/23F24S2023/833F24S10/75F24S23/70F24S50/20F24S80/10Y02E10/40
Inventor KUMMAMURU, RAVI K.
Owner AXISOL
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