Hardened solar energy collector system

Abstract

A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a hardened apparatus and system for collecting solar energy, converting it to heated circulating heat transfer fluids and then to electricity. The hardened apparatus and system is designed to withstand nuclear explosions in locations as close as 500 yards from ground zero, dependent on the size of the explosion. A collector design is presented that is then incorporated into a larger system that achieves the design goals.Definitions[0002]Black Body: A black body is an ideal body or surface that completely absorbs all radiant energy falling upon it with no reflection.[0003]Carnot Cycle: The Carnot cycle is an ideal reversible closed thermodynamic cycle in which the working substance goes through the four successive operations of isothermal expansion to a desired point, then adiabatic expansion to a desired point, then isothermal compression, and finally adiabatic compression back to its initial state[0004]Component: an indiv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a system that can withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the nearby area. The system includes multiple collector tubes that carry and circulate a working fluid. The collector tubes have a diffractive optical structure to enhance the absorption of solar energy. The system also has an insulated housing to protect the collector tubes and a secured underground geothermal storage unit to use the heat from the system. The system can detect physical parameters of the working fluid and regulate the flow of the fluid between the collector tubes and the geothermal storage unit, as well as between the geothermal storage unit and a turbine to supply heat to a system. The technical effects of the invention are that it provides a reliable and flexible energy source that can withstand extreme conditions and threats to ensure a stable supply of energy.

Problems solved by technology

These systems are physically fragile and are not hardened or optimized to operate in the difficult nuclear and post-nuclear attack environment.

Semiconductor devices are not considered appropriate for this application due to their known damage sensitivity to ElectroMagnetic Pulse (EMP) as well as their physical fragility due to the brittle nature of said devices.

Many of these systems incorporate tracking mechanisms which are considered vulnerable in the nuclear and post-nuclear attack environment.

Furthermore, many of these prior art systems are mounted above ground at locations where they would most likely be swept away by the high winds or melted by the instantaneous thermal pulse of said attack.

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