Skip car elevator system for particle-based high-temperature power tower equipment

Abstract

A skip car elevator particle lifting system for a particle-based high temperature power tower plant includes: a prediction skip car subsystem; an upper hopper disposed above and separated from the trolley subsystem; a plurality of elongated rails connecting the trolley subsystem and the upper hopper to each other; and a skip mounted on the elongated guide rail and configured to move along the elongated guide rail between the foreskip subsystem and the upper hopper. The predictive skip subsystem includes a container configured to accumulate an amount of hot particles therein and to automatically discharge the hot particles into the skip when the skip reaches a loading area of the predictive skip subsystem. The skip car is configured to convey load particles upward toward the hopper and then discharge the particles into the hopper interior. The emptied skip car is then returned to the predicted skip car subsystem to repeat the process.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 589,926, filed October 12, 2023 with the USPTO under 35 U.SC §119, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device, and more specifically to a material cart hoisting system for a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device. Background Technology

[0003] Particle-based concentrated solar power (P-CSP) technology has emerged as a viable and energy-efficient solution, particularly suitable for regions with abundant direct normal irradiance (DNI), such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). A P-CSP system comprises several key components, including a particle heated receiver (PHR), a high-temperature thermal energy storage unit (HT-TES), a particle-to-fluid heat exchanger (PFHX), a low-temperature thermal energy storage unit (LT-TES), and a particle lifting system (PLS).

[0004] The typical operating cycle of a P-CSP system involves introducing particles at the top of the PHR, where they are heated to high temperatures by concentrated solar radiation from the heliostat field. These heated particles then flow into the HT-TES box, where they can be stored for extended periods to enable continuous plant operation during periods of low solar availability, such as nighttime operation or low DNI conditions. Alternatively, they can be guided through the PFHX to drive the power generation cycle. After passing through the PFHX, the particles enter the LT-TES box before being transported back to the top of the PHR via the PLS.

[0005] P-CSP technology has the potential to generate dispatchable carbon-free electricity, provide long-term energy storage, and facilitate high-temperature industrial thermal applications. The utilization of particles allows operation at relatively high temperatures (approximately 1000°C), resulting in improved thermal efficiency and reduced costs in CSP applications. However, achieving high-temperature operation in P-CSP systems presents considerable challenges, as all critical system components must undergo thorough research, design, and evaluation at high temperatures.

[0006] Within the HT-PL system, significant heat loss occurs during particle charging and discharging as they are exposed to ambient temperatures. Furthermore, as the capacity of the P-CSP system increases, the tower height also increases to accommodate a larger Thermal Energy Storage System (TES), Particle-to-Fluid Heat Exchanger (PFHX), and Particle Heating Receiver (PHR). Consequently, the travel time of the particles from the charging station to the top of the PHR is prolonged, leading to increased heat loss through the HT-PL system walls to the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, it is desirable for the HT-PL system to operate efficiently to minimize parasitic heat loss while also being cost-effective, thereby enabling the entire P-CSP facility to have competitive electricity pricing.

[0007] The particle lifting systems used in P-CSP plants differ significantly from conventional particle lifting systems employed in industries such as construction and mining. The unique operating temperatures, vertical lifting requirements, and speeds of particle lifting systems in P-CSP equipment render conventional lifting unsuitable. Conventional lifts cannot be scaled to the heights required in P-CSP systems, and their operating environments exceed their feasible temperature limits. Furthermore, efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness are key factors differentiating particle lifting systems used in P-CSPs from conventional lifting systems.

[0008] Extensive research has been conducted worldwide to identify and study suitable pellet lifting systems for P-CSP plants. Researchers have explored options such as bucket elevators, conveyor belts, old-fashioned elevators, and car lifts commonly used in the mining industry. However, preliminary research conducted by our research group has identified several alternatives to car lifts that have been found to be unsuitable or underdeveloped.

[0009] Screw-type pellet lifting systems, such as older-style hoists, use a rotating outer drum to pull pellets along an internal auger through friction. While they can handle pellets at higher temperatures (up to 800°C) without interruption, the cost of older hoists increases linearly with the height of the tower. Their lifting efficiency has been calculated to be only 5%, and excessive pellet wear and abrasion caused by friction results in significantly lower energy efficiency compared to bucket elevators or trolley hoists.

[0010] Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has evaluated various particle lifting systems, with a particular focus on bucket elevators (BEs). BEs offer the advantage of being able to operate at moderately high temperatures (>200°C) and provide continuous particle discharge. However, BEs are prone to high heat loss due to the large surface area exposed to heated particles. Mitigating this heat loss by providing adequate insulation around the bucket elevator's casing is challenging. Research conducted at Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT) indicates that a reasonable amount of heat loss is expected at 300°C, which is the minimum particle temperature in baseline designs. Furthermore, studies have shown that conventional bucket elevators frequently experience issues such as backflow and high overflow during operation. These factors can negatively impact system efficiency and reliability. Moreover, meeting the requirements of high-quality flow rates (approximately 1000 kg / s) and lifting heights (approximately 250 m) for large-scale commercial CSP plants (approximately 1000 MWe) using commercially available bucket elevator systems can be challenging.

[0011] Conveyor belts have the advantage of minimal spillage, but they are challenging to integrate into power generation tower structures and cannot operate at the high temperatures required for P-CSP applications.

[0012] These challenges highlight the need for innovative designs and modifications to existing particle lifting systems to address the specific requirements and limitations of P-CSP applications. Summary of the Invention

[0013] This disclosure relates to a granular high-temperature power generation tower equipment hopper system. Once the granules have passed through the heat exchanger of the power generation equipment, they are lifted back to the upper hopper of the hopper system for further use. The loading station (or loading car subsystem, hereinafter referred to as "loading car") is a component of the hopper system for loading the hot granules that have been lifted back to the upper hopper of the power generation equipment via the loading car.

[0014] The temperature of the particles loaded in the vehicle is expected to be in the range of, for example, from about ambient temperature to about 1000°C. In a non-limiting embodiment, the temperature of the particles loaded in the vehicle is expected to be in the range of, for example, from about 500°C to about 650°C.

[0015] The feed car is an insulated chamber that is lifted up and down by a set of tracks (moving between the pre-load station and the upper hopper) by a winder, motor, etc., to transport the pellets from the feed car to the upper hopper and dump the pellets into the interior of the upper hopper.

[0016] Particles that have passed through the heat exchanger of the power generation unit (and are temporarily located in the loading cart) are still hot because the heat exchanger does not completely cool them to ambient temperature. Since these particles in the upper hopper are reheated or reused for other operations requiring heat exchange, it is important to minimize their heat loss during their upward journey to the upper hopper. To this end, this disclosure provides a loading cart elevator system that minimizes heat loss in the particles at each step of the path to the upper hopper.

[0017] Specifically, the pre-load car is configured to retain as much heat as possible in the pellets loaded into it. This is achieved by equipping the pre-load car with an insulated pellet storage chamber having a chute installed at its downstream end. This chute is configured to open automatically when the car arrives at the pre-load car area for loading. The opening of the chute allows the pellets stored in the pre-load car's storage area to be dumped into the car.

[0018] In addition, the pre-loaded trolley includes a mechanism for automatically opening the trolley's cover when it is parked for loading in the pre-loaded trolley area. This allows the correct quantity of pellets (defined by the trolley's internal storage area) to be quickly poured into the trolley. This reduces the amount of time the pellets are exposed to cooler ambient temperatures, thereby reducing heat loss from the pellets.

[0019] The trolley is configured to automatically close its cover by gravity (e.g., via its own weight) immediately upon leaving the loading area of ​​the trolley (on the track).

[0020] As the trolley leaves the loading area, a weight-pulley system automatically and immediately closes the trolley's chute. This closes the trolley's storage chamber, allowing it to be refilled with additional particles subsequently carried to the upper hopper.

[0021] Advantageously, the above process of automatically filling the trolley with granules in the pre-cart area can be performed without using any special electrical components. That is, in combination with the up and down travel of the trolley along the track (e.g., powered by the winding section), the trolley can be automatically filled into the pre-cart loading area and the trolley's chute and cover can be automatically closed when the trolley is lifted, simply by utilizing the structural configuration of the pre-cart area and the structural configuration of the trolley.

[0022] In other words, the processes of opening and closing the chute, opening and closing the trolley cover are automatically performed solely by the trolley's arrival / departure from the loading area, combined with the effects of gravity on its weight and the pulley system. This configuration simplifies the electrical system of the power generation equipment by eliminating any electrically operated components required for filling and emptying the trolley. This, in turn, reduces the design, operation, and maintenance costs associated with using additional electrical components to control the trolley filling process.

[0023] The track on which the cart travels upward toward the hopper (relative to the expected cart height) is configured to partially insert the cart into the upper hopper and invert it into the hopper, allowing the cart to quickly empty its contents into the upper hopper. Advantageously, the cart's cover is hinged, allowing the cart to automatically open inside the upper hopper by gravity (e.g., from its own weight) due to its inversion, further simplifying the cart system configuration. Furthermore, the cover is configured to close by gravity when the cart is discharged from the upper hopper and rearranged with its cover side facing upward.

[0024] The emptied material car can then be lowered back to the material car loading area to repeat the process. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and other features of the present invention will become clearer from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating a trolley hoisting system for a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device according to an embodiment of the subject matter;

[0027] Figure 2 It's a diagram. Figure 1 Side view of the material cart elevator system;

[0028] Figure 3A It's a diagram. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the material car elevator system's pre-loaded car subsystem;

[0029] Figure 3B It's a diagram. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the material car elevator system's pre-loaded car subsystem;

[0030] Figure 3C It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0031] Figure 3D It's a diagram. Figure 3A A front view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0032] Figure 3E It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0033] Figure 3F It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0034] Figure 3G It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0035] Figure 3H It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0036] Figure 3I It's a diagram. Figure 3A A side view of part of the anticipated vehicle system;

[0037] Figure 3J It's a diagram. Figure 3A A stereoscopic view of part of the expected vehicle system;

[0038] Figure 3K It's a diagram. Figure 3A A side view of the expected vehicle system;

[0039] Figure 3L It's a diagram. Figure 3A A side view of the expected vehicle system;

[0040] Figure 4 It's a diagram. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the material car subsystem of the material car elevator system;

[0041] Figure 5A It's a diagram. Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the material cart system;

[0042] Figure 5B It's a diagram. Figure 5A Rear view of the material cart system;

[0043] Figure 5C It's a diagram. Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the material cart system;

[0044] Figure 5D It is along Figure 5B A cross-sectional view taken by line AA;

[0045] Figure 6A It's a diagram. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the upper hopper of the material cart elevator system;

[0046] Figure 6B It's a diagram. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the upper hopper of the material cart elevator system;

[0047] Figure 6C It is illustrated independently. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of some components of the material cart elevator system;

[0048] Figure 7A This is a perspective view of the lower part of a dual-cart hoist system for a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0049] Figure 7B It's a diagram. Figure 7A A perspective view of the top portion of the double-cart hoist system. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements. For clarity, the dimensions and / or scale of the elements shown in the drawings may be enlarged.

[0051] When an element is said to be arranged on top of another element, an intermediate element may be arranged therebetween. Furthermore, elements, components, parts, etc., not described in detail with respect to a particular figure or embodiment may be assumed to be similar to or identical to corresponding elements, components, parts, etc., described in other parts of the specification.

[0052] As described above, this disclosure relates to a carpooling system for use in a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device. The carpooling system includes a pre-load subsystem configured to store a given amount of hot particles and automatically discharge these particles into empty carpools placed in a loading area in front of the pre-load subsystem.

[0053] The discharge end of the storage container of the pre-loaded cart system is configured to automatically close via an articulated chute as the loaded cart moves upward to unload the particles into the upper hopper of the cart system. A gravity-powered pulley system is used to automatically open and close the chute based on the movement of the cart. The opening and closing of the cart's cover (allowing the cart to be filled and emptied) depends solely on the movement of the cart along a pair of tracks connecting the pre-loaded cart system to the upper hopper. Therefore, during the operation of the cart lifting system, no separate electrical components are used to open and close the chute or the cart's cover. This configuration is advantageous and will be described in more detail below.

[0054] Figures 1-6CThe illustration shows a material cart hoisting system for use in a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the overall structure of the material car elevator system of this subject, which includes a pre-cart subsystem 100 (or simply "pre-cart"), an upper hopper 400 (or simply "hopper"), multiple tracks 300, a material car subsystem 200 (or simply "cart"), a storage tank 500, and a winder 600. The upper hopper 400 is positioned at a height above the pre-cart 100. The multiple tracks 300 connect the pre-cart 100 to the hopper 400. The material car subsystem 200 is connected to the tracks 300 and is movable along the tracks 300 between the pre-cart 100 and the hopper 400. The storage tank 500 is in fluid communication with the hopper 400. The winder 600 is connected to the material car 200 via a cable 700 for moving the material car 200 along the tracks 300.

[0056] Storage tank 500 can be a low-temperature thermal energy storage (LT-TES) tank, which receives pellets that have already been processed by the heat exchanger of a power generation unit served by a trolley hoist system. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustration, storage tank 500 is shown in fluid communication with hopper 400 and feed car 100. However, this configuration is not limiting, and the upper hopper 400 can be used to transport the granules stored therein to other components of the power generation equipment. Storage tank 500 can be configured to supply cryogenic (but still hot) granules to feed car 100.

[0057] The pre-load 100 is configured to accumulate a particulate load (e.g., particles received from the storage bin 500) and automatically discharge the accumulated load into the pre-load 200 when the trolley 200 is brought to a loading position along the track 300 (in front of the pre-load 100). Figure 3H , Figure 3I and Figure 3J The illustration shows the material cart 200 in the loading position.

[0058] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The entire diagram of the anticipated vehicle 100 is shown. Figures 3C-3L For clarity, only some parts of the expected vehicle 100 are shown.

[0059] See Figures 3B-3C The anticipated vehicle 100 includes a storage container 110 (or "the anticipated vehicle body"), a chute 114, and a heavy pulley mechanism 120 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3BThe storage container 110 has an inlet end 111 with a filling port, an outlet end 112 opposite to the inlet end 111, and a hollow body extending between the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. A chute 114 is pivotally located adjacent to the outlet end 112 of the container 110's hollow body. The container 110 can extend downwardly from its inlet end 111 to its outlet end 112 to facilitate the discharge of particles into the trolley 200.

[0060] Storage container 110 may have an inner liner and an outer sheath. The inner liner and outer sheath of container 110 may be separated by a layer of insulation material to reduce heat loss of the particles when they are stored inside container 110. The insulation material may be, for example, steel wool, ceramic wool, fiberglass, or other suitable types of insulation.

[0061] The hollow storage container 110 can have an internal storage volume capacity equal to that of the trolley 200. In this way, during a dumping process, the storage container 110 can be used to quickly and efficiently fill the trolley 200 with pellets. This reduces the waste of thermal energy during dumping. Alternatively or additionally, the container 110 can have a storage capacity smaller than or larger than that of the trolley 200.

[0062] The pivot of the chute 114 can be connected to the bottom edge of the discharge end 112, as in Figure 3C As illustrated in the diagram. This allows the groove 114 to... Figure 3B The open state shown is the same as... Figure 3A and Figure 3K The illustrated closed state pivots between the open state and the closed state, which is used to open the discharge end 112 of the container 100 so that the particles stored in the container 100 can be dumped into the trolley 200 (e.g., by falling due to gravity and the downward tilt of the storage container 100), and the closed state is used to close the discharge end 112 of the container 100 after the dumping process has been completed.

[0063] Storage container 110 may include a diaphragm (e.g., a perforated plate, see below) Figure 3F The diaphragm is positioned inside the hollow body and just downstream of the filling port at end 111 of container 110. This configuration slows down the filling rate of container 110, which in turn facilitates the closure of pivot chute 114.

[0064] See Figure 3EThe pivoting mechanism of the chute 114 may include a longitudinal rod 142 extending across the bottom of the discharge end 112 of the container 110, and the rod 142 may be connected to a pair of bearings 144 for structural support and enable the chute 114 to rotate between an open position and a closed position. Furthermore, the storage container 110 may include a sealing strip 140 extending along the rod 142 to protect the rod 142 from particle contamination when particles are discharged into the trolley 200. This configuration reduces the likelihood of the pivot joint jamming due to particle contamination. The sealing strip 140 may be made of metal to resist the temperature of the particles.

[0065] The weight-pulley mechanism (or simply "mechanism") 120 can be used to automatically open the chute 114 immediately when the cart 200 arrives at the loading position along the track 300 and to automatically close the chute 114 immediately when the cart 200 leaves the loading position.

[0066] See Figure 3B The mechanism 120 may include a pair of generally vertical tracks 136 separated from each other, a plate 130 (or “gate”) connected to the tracks 136 and configured to move up and down along the length of the tracks 136, a pair of flexible cables 124, one end of each flexible cable being connected to a counterweight (or mass) 122 and the other end being attached by a hook 128 to a corresponding side of the upper end of the plate 130, each cable 124 passing through a corresponding pulley 126, each pulley 126 being arranged above a pivot joint of a chute 114, and a platform 134 being connected to the bottom end of the plate 130 via a connecting member 132.

[0067] The opening and closing of the slide 114 is achieved by sliding the plate 130 downward and upward on the track 136.

[0068] In the position of the closed groove 114, such as Figure 3A As illustrated, plate 130 contacts and presses upward against the outer surface of chute 114 to keep chute 114 pressed against the open end 112 of container 110 (i.e., to keep container 110 closed). The upward force exerted by plate 130 on chute 114 is generated by the weight of suspension block 122 and transmitted to plate 130 via cable 124.

[0069] In order to open the slide 114, the plate 130 must be opened from its... Figure 3AThe position shown in the diagram moves downward (e.g., the top of plate 130 must move below the hinge of chute 114). This can be done using the weight of cart 200. That is, as cart 200 descends toward the loading area of ​​pre-loaded cart 100 (but has not yet reached the loading area of ​​pre-loaded cart 100), the bottom of cart 200 contacts platform 134 of mechanism 120, because platform 134 protrudes into the travel path of cart 200. After contact, further downward movement of cart 200 (requiring cart 200 to be brought into pre-loaded cart 100 and thus into the loading area) causes platform 134 to move downward by a certain amount. This downward movement overcomes the weight of block 122, thereby pulling plate 130 downward. The downward movement of plate 130 removes plate 130 from the pivoting path of chute 114, thereby allowing chute 114 to open freely by the force of gravity thereon (since chute 114 can be tilted relative to the vertical axis) and / or by the weight of the particles inside container 110 (which press outward against the inner surface of chute 114).

[0070] When the trolley 200 has been filled and moved away from the loading area of ​​the trolley 100, and thus no longer weighs down on the platform 134, the weight of the suspension block 122 causes the plate 130 to automatically rise (e.g., the block 122 is heavier than the plate 130). This, in turn, closes the chute 114 and keeps it closed, as described above.

[0071] This configuration uses only the movement of the cart 200 combined with a gravity-controlled counterweight pulley mechanism to open and close the chute 114, thereby eliminating the need for any separate motor that would otherwise be required to open and close the chute 114. This, in turn, reduces the design, operating, and maintenance costs of the power generation equipment. Furthermore, the configuration of the pre-load cart 100 of the present invention provides a secure seal for the particles inside the container 110 of the pre-load cart 100, because the counterweight 122 is designed to be large enough to firmly hold the chute 114 in the closed position when the cart 200 is not present, yet small enough to be overcome by the weight of the empty cart 200 so as to reliably open the chute 114 when the cart 200 arrives at the loading position of the pre-load cart 100.

[0072] The vehicle 100 is also expected to include one or more cover opening elements 150 disposed above the discharge end 112 of the container 110 (see Figure 3EComponent 150 (or “protrusion”) is supported by the structure of the pre-load cart 100 (or typically by the structure of the power generation equipment) and extends toward the feed cart 200 (when the feed cart 200 is in the loading position of the pre-load cart 110). Protrusion 150 is configured to automatically open the cover of the feed cart 200 when the feed cart arrives at the loading position of the pre-load cart 100, so that the pre-load cart 100 can fill the open feed cart 200 with pellets. As the loaded feed cart 200 moves upward from the loading position (and thus protrusion 150 disengages from the cover of the feed cart 200), the open cover of the feed cart 200 automatically closes due to its own weight. See below. Figure 4 and Figures 5A-5D Describe the configuration in more detail.

[0073] See Figure 4 The material cart 200 includes a lifting ring 210 and an insulated material cart container 220, which are located below the middle height of the container 220 (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in the diagram at position "A", which can be pivotally connected to each other near the bottom of container 220.

[0074] Figures 5A-5D These are detailed views of container 220, but for ease of illustration, some parts of container 220 have been omitted (in...). Figure 4 (As shown in the image).

[0075] See Figure 4 and Figures 5A-5D The trolley container 220 may include an inner liner 222, an outer sheath 226, insulation material 228 surrounding the inner liner 222, a lid 230, and hinges 234, rods 236, flanges 238, and roller pairs 240. The inner liner 222 defines an internal storage area 224 in the container 200, the outer sheath 226 defines the exterior of the container 220 and includes the inner liner 222, the lid 230 has an overhang 232 at the front portion of the container 220, the hinge 234 is located at the rear portion of the container 200, the rod 236 extends outward from a pair of opposing sidewalls of the sheath 226, and the flanges 238 have multiple beveled connections on the outer side of the outer sheath 226 (see...). Figure 4 The roller pair 240 is attached to the opposite side surface of the container 220 and positioned adjacent to the top front region of the container 220.

[0076] like Figure 4 and Figure 5D As illustrated, the cover 230 may also be provided with an insulating material 228 attached thereto to insulate the top of the container 220 in the closed position. The insulating material 228 may be, for example, ceramic wool or other types of insulating materials commonly used in industry.

[0077] The beveled connecting flanges 238 serve as fasteners. They will hold the cart 200 in place during the thermal expansion and contraction experienced by the cart 200 during the loading and unloading of particles.

[0078] The feed cart 200 can be configured to be wider rather than deeper. This will allow for rapid discharge, thereby reducing heat loss from the particles during discharge into the hopper 400.

[0079] See Figure 4 The lifting ring 210 may include a head member 212, a pair of elongated members 216, and a pair of rollers 218. The head member 212 has a pair of rollers 214 attached to opposite sides of the head member 212. The pair of elongated members 216 extend downward from the head member 212 toward the bottom of the container 220, and the pair of rollers 218 are attached to the bottom region of the elongated members 216. Each elongated member 216 may have a corresponding through-hole or bearing located at position "A". Figure 4 As illustrated, when the trolley 200 is aligned in a vertical position, each of the aforementioned through holes or bearings can be positioned above the roller 218. Furthermore, each of the aforementioned through holes or bearings receives a corresponding protrusion of the rod 236 therein to rotatably connect the lifting ring 210 to the trolley container 220. Figure 6A As shown in the figure, head piece 212 is connected to cable 700 so that the trolley 200 can be moved along track 300 using the power of winder 600.

[0080] Now see Figure 3K and Figure 3L Describe the mechanism used to open the cover 230 of the material cart 200. For example... Figure 3K As illustrated, when the material trolley 200 approaches the loading area of ​​the expected trolley 100, the protrusion 150 (in) Figure 3E (As shown more clearly in the image) the overhang 232 of the cover 230 of the trolley 200 contacts. As the trolley 200 continues to move downward on the track 300, the cover 230 begins to open by rotating the cover 230 relative to the hinge 234 (because the overhang 232 is held in place by the protrusion 150). This is in Figure 3L As shown in the diagram.

[0081] This configuration simply automates the opening and closing of the cover 230 in a safe, secure, and reliable manner by moving the trolley 200 into and out of the loading area of ​​the pre-loaded trolley 100—an essential step in operating the trolley lifting system for granular high-temperature power tower projects. Therefore, this configuration reduces the costs associated with designing, installing, and maintaining separate motors for opening and closing the cover 230 of the container 220.

[0082] Furthermore, the fact that the cover 230 is already open before the chute 114 is opened increases the reliability of the pellet loading operation, as it ensures that the trolley container 220 is ready to receive pellets inside it before the chute 114 is opened.

[0083] However, in Figure 3L In the state shown, the material cart 200 has not yet fully reached the loading area of ​​the intended cart 100. This is indicated by the fact that the cover 230 is only partially open and the chute 114 remains closed. Figure 3I The illustration shows a cart 200 properly positioned in the area of ​​the cart 100, as indicated by the wide opening angle of the cover 230 and the chute 114, which opens and is positioned above the opening of the cart 200 so that particles can flow into the interior 224 of the cart 200.

[0084] The hopper 400 is configured to receive the contents of the internal cart container 220. To facilitate unloading the cart 200 into the hopper 400, the track 300 is configured to insert the top of the cart container 220 into the front receiving surface of the hopper 400, while simultaneously inverting the container 220 so that its contents can be poured into the hopper 400 by gravity. This configuration will be described in more detail below.

[0085] The insertion process from the material cart 200 to the hopper 400 is in Figures 6A-6C A clearer diagram is shown below. See also Figure 6A and Figure 6B The multiple tracks 300 may include a pair of front tracks 310 and a pair of rear tracks 320. The rollers 240 of the trolley 200 are connected to the front tracks 310. All rollers 214, 218 of the lifting ring 200 are connected to the rear tracks 320 (see...). Figure 6C ).

[0086] like Figure 6B As illustrated, the curvature (or bending) of the front track 310 in front of the hopper 400 and the upwardly extending rear track 320, combined with the pivoting motion between the lifting ring 210 and the trolley container 220, allows the cover 230 to open pivotally by gravity when it is inserted into the hopper 400. This is because when the cover 230 is inserted into the hopper 400, the bottom end of the trolley 200 is lifted above the cover 230, as shown. Figure 6B As shown in the diagram, the arrangement of the material cart 200 relative to the track 300 when inserted into the hopper 400 is... Figure 6C The middle diagram shows (the hopper 400 is omitted for clarity).

[0087] The portions of each track 310 that extend inside the hopper 400 and partially outside the front of the hopper 400 are not horizontal. In other words, as... Figures 6A to 6CAs illustrated, the portion of track 310 is tilted upward relative to the horizontal axis by a certain amount in the direction in which the trolley 200 enters the hopper 400. This configuration allows the trolley 200 to accelerate smoothly on a downward path (e.g., toward the trolley 100) and decelerate smoothly on an upward path (e.g., toward the interior of the hopper 400).

[0088] The configuration of tracks 310 and 320 (where all rollers of lifting ring 210 engage only track 320 and all rollers of cart container 220 engage only track 310) eliminates the potentially troublesome mechanism of needing to unlock lifting ring 210 from cart container 220 when tilting cart container 220 to empty particles into upper hopper 400. Furthermore, the configuration of tracks 310 and 320 as described in this specification, combined with the attachment of rollers 214, 218, and 240 thereon, eliminates another disadvantageous configuration where both pairs of tracks need to extend the entire height of the lift.

[0089] Although tracks 310 and 320 are illustrated as extending in pairs, the system of this disclosure can be modified to utilize fewer than two front tracks 310, more than two front tracks 310, fewer than two rear tracks 320, more than two rear tracks 320, or combinations thereof. Based on the teachings of this specification, the number and placement of the rollers of the cart 200 will then be modified based on the number of tracks used to operate the cart 200.

[0090] Furthermore, although this specification teaches the use of rollers to connect the cart 200 and the track 300, other connecting mechanisms can be used to movably connect the cart 200 and the track 300. These mechanisms may include, for example, a slidable connection between the cart 200 and the track 300 or a combination of sliding and rolling components.

[0091] The hopper 400 is insulated and may be equipped with a two-part door to allow the trolley 200 to enter from the top side and to close automatically by its own weight when the trolley 200 is withdrawn from the interior of the hopper 400.

[0092] More specifically, such as Figure 6A and Figure 6B As illustrated, the hopper 400 may include an insulated housing 410 with a front door having a first door component 420 and a second door component 430 pivotally connected to each other via one or more hinges 440. The first door component 420 is pivotally connected to a top portion of the front wall of the hopper 400, and the bottom portion of the second door component 430 is freely movable relative to the housing 410. The hopper 400 may have a counterweight door and a silicon carbide foam filter inside the housing 410.

[0093] like Figure 6B As illustrated more clearly in the diagram, hopper 400 can be fed solely by a force-measuring element (such as... Figure 6B The exemplary force-measuring elements 500 are connected to a structure of a hopper elevator system (or a structure connected to a power generation device). The weight of the hopper assembly 400 can be measured in real time using the force-measuring elements 500. Therefore, the weight of the particle load poured into the hopper 400 each time can be determined in real time. This information can then be used to track the operation of the power generation device in real time and adjust its operating parameters accordingly when needed. Alternatively, a single force-measuring element can be used to connect the hopper 400 to either the hopper elevator system or the power generation device.

[0094] Power generation equipment utilizing the system of the present invention may include a particle heating receiver (PHR). The hopper 400 may include a silicone foam filter to prevent the PHR from being contaminated by large particles. Because the hopper 400 intermittently receives particles, it can also be used as a mass flow measurement and monitoring chamber. This feature provides a valuable solution to the challenge of measuring the mass flow of hot particles for data acquisition, performance monitoring, and control purposes. By integrating a counterweight function into the upper hopper 400, the system of this disclosure provides a practical means of measuring and monitoring the mass flow of hot particles. This information is crucial for effective data acquisition, performance analysis, and control of power generation equipment.

[0095] The housing 410 of the hopper 400 may include two chambers (via, for example) Figure 6B The illustrated component 450 consists of a liner and a cladding. The internal volume of the hopper 400 can be approximately 50% larger than the internal volume of the cart 200. In other words, the hopper 400 can be used as a storage container for pellets. To reduce heat loss through conduction, the middle volume of the hopper 400 can be filled with mineral wool or other insulating materials.

[0096] The concept of this invention can also be embodied in a material car system that uses multiple pre-load cars, multiple material cars, and multiple upper hoppers. Figure 7A and Figure 7B An example of this is shown. (The following is not described in detail.) Figure 7A and Figure 7B The components / features of the embodiments may be assumed to be similar to or identical to the corresponding components / features of the material cart system as described elsewhere in this specification. Therefore, only the following descriptions will be presented. Figures 1-6C Implementation examples and Figures 7A-7B Differences between the embodiments.

[0097] More specifically, Figure 7A and Figure 7B The diagram illustrates a funnel-shaped material cart elevator system. (See also...) Figure 7A and Figure 7BA material cart lifting system for a particle-based high-temperature power generation tower device may include a first pre-cart 100A and a second pre-cart 100B arranged side by side, a first upper hopper 400A and a second upper hopper 400B arranged side by side above the pre-carts 100A and 100B, a first set of tracks 300A and a second set of tracks 300B connecting the pre-cart 100A to the hopper 400A and the pre-cart 100B to the hopper 400B respectively, a first material cart 200A and a second material cart 200B riding along the tracks 300A and 300B respectively, a cable 700A, and at least one winder 600A.

[0098] Cable 700A can be connected at one end to cart 200A and at the other end to cart 200B. Cable 700A can be powered by at least one winder 600A to move carts 200A and 200B along their respective tracks.

[0099] like Figure 7A and Figure 7B As illustrated, due to the funnel-shaped design, when a trolley is positioned to pour its contents into its corresponding upper hopper (e.g.) Figure 7B (See the diagram for material car 200A). Another material car is positioned in its corresponding pre-loaded area (e.g., material car 200A). Figure 7A (See the illustration of cart 200B). The funnel-shaped configuration of the cart lifting system of the present invention is advantageous because it increases the operating efficiency of the system. This is because the rate at which the particles moved by carts 200A and 200B is approximately twice that of a system using a single cart without significantly increasing the power required by the winder to move carts 200A and 200B. This is because, due to the funnel-shaped arrangement, the weights of carts 200A and 200B cancel each other out (assuming carts 200A and 200B have the same empty weight), therefore, the power of the winder is primarily used to move the load carried by one of the two carts at a time.

[0100] Of course, when using two or more material car hoist systems, the invention is not limited to a funnel-shaped configuration. Two or more material car hoist systems of the present invention can be installed in the same tower power generation unit and can operate independently of each other.

[0101] Although the invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that different changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A particle lifting system for a granular power generation tower device, the granular lifting system comprising: A vehicle prediction system, the vehicle prediction system including a container configured to accumulate a certain amount of particles in the container; An upper hopper is arranged above the pre-car system and is separate from the pre-car system; Multiple slender guide rails connect the pre-loaded vehicle system and the upper hopper to each other; as well as A material cart subsystem, which is mounted on the elongated guide rail and configured to move along the elongated guide rail between the material cart system and the upper hopper. The predictive cart system is configured to automatically release a certain amount of accumulated particles into the material cart system when the material cart system is brought to the loading position at the predictive cart system, wherein the material cart system is configured to move upward when loaded with the particles in order to transport the loaded particles to the upper hopper.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The pre-loading vehicle subsystem also includes a chute pivotally connected to the particle discharge end of the container of the pre-loading vehicle subsystem, wherein the chute is configured to pivot between an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, when the vehicle subsystem is brought to the loading position, the chute allows accumulated particles to be discharged into the vehicle subsystem, and in the closed state, when the vehicle subsystem moves away from the loading position, the chute prevents particles from being released from the particle discharge end of the container.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The pre-determined vehicle system also includes a door that can slidably engage with the outer surface of the slide and is opposite to the container of the pre-determined vehicle system, wherein the door is configured to slide up and down at different heights, and wherein the door is configured to slide between a first height and a second height below the first height, wherein at the first height the door rests against the slide and keeps the slide closed by resting against the slide, and at the second height the slide can be pivoted to the open state.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The loading vehicle subsystem further includes a platform and a connecting element connecting the platform to the door, wherein the platform is configured to engage the loading vehicle subsystem and is configured to be lowered by the loading vehicle subsystem when the loading vehicle subsystem moves downward toward the loading position to move the door to a lower second height.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The loading cart system also includes at least one counterweight, an elongated flexible connector, and a pulley. One end of the elongated flexible connector is connected to the door, and the other end of the elongated flexible connector is connected to the at least one counterweight. The flexible connector passes through the pulley. When the loading cart system is raised from the loading position, the at least one counterweight is configured to pull the door upward to the first height via the flexible connector, thereby closing the chute and keeping the chute closed.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The pivotal connection between the chute and the housing of the pre-car system includes a longitudinal pivot shaft, and the pre-car system also includes a sealing strip disposed on the longitudinal pivot shaft to reduce or prevent particles from contacting the longitudinal pivot shaft.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The pre-deployed vehicle substation also includes at least one protrusion that is fixed to a structural component of the pre-deployed vehicle substation above the discharge end of the pre-deployed vehicle container, the protrusion extending toward the plurality of tracks. The material cart substation includes a container having a storage area for receiving particles accumulated in the material cart container. The storage container of the material cart substation has a hollow body with a hinged cover at its top. The hinged cover has a protrusion extending beyond the front wall of the storage container in a direction toward at least one protrusion of the material cart substation. Wherein, at least one protrusion of the pre-loaded vehicle substation is configured to engage the protrusion of the cover when the pre-loaded vehicle substation descends toward the loading position of the pre-loaded vehicle substation, and is configured to rotate the cover to an open position when the pre-loaded vehicle substation continues to descend after the engagement of at least one protrusion of the pre-loaded vehicle substation with the protrusion of the cover.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The material car substation also includes a lifting ring and a container, the container being configured to receive the particles from the material car substation, wherein the lifting ring and the container of the material car substation are hingedly connected to each other.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The plurality of tracks includes a front track and a rear track, the front track having a top region that curves toward the front door of the upper hopper, and the rear track extending upward beyond the height of the front door of the upper hopper. The container of the material car substation is movably connected to the front rail, and the lifting ring is movably connected to the rear rail.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one force-measuring element connected to the upper hopper and configured to read the weight of the upper hopper.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The container of the pre-loaded vehicle substation also includes a diaphragm arranged in the storage area, the diaphragm being used to reduce the particle filling rate of the container.

12. A particle lifting system for a granular power generation tower device, the granular lifting system comprising: Anticipating vehicle systems; The upper hopper is arranged above the pre-loaded vehicle substation; Multiple tracks connect the pre-loaded vehicle system and the upper hopper to each other; A material cart subsystem, the material cart system being connected to the plurality of tracks and configured to move along the plurality of tracks between the material cart system and the upper hopper; Winder; as well as A cable, which is connected to the winder and to the trolley subsystem for moving the trolley system along the track. The anticipated vehicle substation includes: A storage container configured to accumulate particles, the storage container having a discharge end for discharging the stored particles from the storage container. A chute, rotatably connected to the discharge end of the storage container, is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the chute closes the discharge end of the storage container; in the open position, the chute opens the discharge end of the storage container. Counterweight pulley assembly, The counterweight pulley assembly includes a plate mounted on a support rail for sliding up and down along the support rail. The plate has an upward / downward range of motion extending from above the height of a pivot joint of a rotatable chute to below the height of a joint of the chute. When the chute is in the closed position, the plate rests against the chute, opposite the storage container of the pre-loaded vehicle substation, and is configured to press the chute against the discharge end of the storage container of the pre-loaded vehicle substation to keep the discharge end closed. A counterweight, which is spaced apart from the plate, A pulley, the pulley being disposed above the pivot joint of the slide groove, and A cable having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body, the first end of the cable being attached to the counterweight, the second end of the cable being attached to the plate, and the elongated body of the cable extending between the first end and the second end of the cable, the elongated body of the cable passing through the pulley.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The joint of the chute is located at the bottom of the discharge end of the storage container of the pre-loaded vehicle substation.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The pre-determined vehicle substation also includes at least one protrusion fixed to a structural component above the discharge end of the container of the pre-determined vehicle substation, the protrusion extending toward the plurality of tracks. The material car substation includes a container having a storage area for receiving hot particles accumulated in the material car storage container. The storage container of the material car substation has a body with a hinged cover at its top. The hinged cover has a protrusion extending beyond the front wall of the storage container in a direction toward at least one protrusion of the material car substation. Wherein, at least one protrusion of the pre-loaded vehicle substation is configured to engage the protrusion of the cover when the pre-loaded vehicle substation descends toward the loading position of the pre-loaded vehicle substation, and to rotate the cover to an open position when the pre-loaded vehicle substation continues to descend after at least one protrusion of the pre-loaded vehicle substation engages with the protrusion of the cover.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The loading vehicle subsystem also includes a platform and a connecting element that connects the platform to a movable plate of the counterweight pulley assembly, wherein the platform is configured to engage the loading vehicle subsystem and be lowered by the loading vehicle subsystem as it moves downward toward the loading position, so as to allow the plate to move downward at or below the height of the chute joint.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The material car substation also includes a lifting ring for a container that is hingedly connected to the material car substation.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The plurality of tracks includes a front track and a rear track, the front track having an upper region that curves toward the front door of the upper hopper, and the rear track extending upward beyond the height of the front door of the upper hopper.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The curved top region of the front track extends with a non-zero slope relative to the horizontal line.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The lifting ring includes a plurality of rollers attached along the length of the lifting ring, the rollers being connected to the rear rail, and the container of the material car substation also includes at least one roller attached to and connected to the front rail adjacent to the front side of the container of the material car substation.

20. A particle lifting system for a car elevator in a particle-based power generation tower device, the car elevator particle lifting system comprising: First and second predictive vehicle systems; The first upper hopper and the second upper hopper are respectively disposed above the first predictive car system and the second predictive car system; A first set of tracks and a second set of tracks, the first set of tracks connecting the first pre-loaded car subsystem to the first upper hopper, and the second set of tracks connecting the second pre-loaded car substation to the second upper hopper; A first material car system is connected to the first set of tracks and configured to move along the first set of tracks between the first material car system and the first upper hopper; And a second material car subsystem, which is connected to the second set of tracks and configured to move along the second set of tracks between the second pre-car system and the second upper hopper; Winder; as well as A cable connected to the winder, to the first material car substation, and to the second material car substation, the cable being configured such that power supplied via the winder causes the first material car substation and the second material car substation to move in a funnel-shaped configuration. Each of the first and second pre-deployment vehicle substations includes: A storage container configured to accumulate heated particles within it, the storage container having a discharge end and configured to intermittently discharge the particles from the discharge end. A chute, rotatably connected to the discharge end of the storage container, is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the chute closes the discharge end of the storage container; in the open position, the chute opens the discharge end of the storage container. Counterweight pulley assembly, The counterweight pulley assembly of each of the first and second pre-loaded substations includes a plate mounted on a support rail and configured to slide up and down along the support rail. The plate has a range of motion extending vertically from above the height of a pivot joint of a rotatable chute to below the height of a joint of the chute. When the chute is in the closed position, the plate rests against the outside of the chute and is configured to press the chute against the discharge end of the storage container of the pre-loaded substation to keep the discharge end closed. A counterweight, which is spaced apart from the plate, A pulley, the pulley being disposed above the pivot joint of the slide groove, and A cable, a first end of which is attached to the counterweight, a second end of which is attached to the plate, and an elongated body of which extends between the first end and the second end of the cable, the elongated body passing through the pulley.

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