Apparatuses and methods for providing a solar thermal energy absorber tube for a solar collector system

Abstract

Various embodiments provide an absorber tube that comprises an inner tube having an exterior surface, at least a portion of which contains a plurality of coating layers. The absorber tube also includes an outer tube spaced apart from the inner tube so as to define a cavity between the two. At least one of the coating layers may be configured to substantially impede migration of gaseous particles from the interior surface and into said cavity. At least one of the coating layers may be a reflective copper coating that is adhered to the exterior surface via an electrical charging process. An absorber tube comprising a connecting member between central and end portions of the tube is also provided. The central portion may be formed from carbon steel, while remaining portions are formed from stainless steel. Coating layers may be likewise adhered to only the central portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61 / 585,868 entitled, “Apparatuses and Methods for Providing a Solar Thermal Energy Absorber Tube for a Solar Collector System” that was filed on Jan. 12, 2012, the entirety which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to solar thermal energy absorber tubes used in the collection and use of solar thermal energy by solar concentrators and solar collector systems. More particularly, the various embodiments provide an inner tube of an absorber tube that comprises a metallic coating layer, which minimizes permeation of hydrogen from a fluid within the inner tube and into an evacuated cavity formed between the inner tube and an outer surrounding tube. Various embodiments further provide an interface assembly, which permits the use of differing materials between an absorptio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an absorber tube for a solar concentrator system that has a coating layer on its inner and / or outer surface to prevent gas molecules from entering the tube and causing damage. The coating layer can be a copper coating that is forced into contact with the tube surface using a vacuum. The inner tube can also have a connecting member between its ends to facilitate mounting in the system. The technical effects of this invention include improved durability and reliability of the absorber tube, reduced risk of damage from gas molecules, and improved performance and efficiency of the solar concentrator system.

Problems solved by technology

However, stainless steel material is relatively heavy, weak, and exhibits properties that result in a relatively slow heat transfer rate, all of which contribute to various degrees of inefficiencies within solar concentrators and solar collector systems.

Such inner tubes, however, generally remain susceptible to migration and / or permeation of hydrogen molecules (e.g., from the heated fluid) into a space between the inner and outer tubes of the absorber tube.

However, getters may require additional maintenance, may block at least a portion of thermal energy transmission to the fluid, and / or may not fully prevent migration and / or permeation.

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