Solar Collector Absorber Sheet Coating for Low-Cost Low-Emission Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing absorber sheets for solar collectors, such as those using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) processes, are costly due to high investment requirements and do not efficiently minimize thermal radiation emission, leading to energy losses.

Innovation Solution

A coil coating process is used to apply a highly selective coating with thin functional layers, including an adhesion promoter layer and sol-gel-based layers, utilizing paint rollers and functional particles like nanoparticles, which allows for precise control of layer thickness and improved adhesion, reducing costs and energy emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If PVD or CVD processes are used to produce highly selective coating, then absorption efficiency is improved, but production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal radiation emissionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive PVD/CVD vacuum coating systems with a cost-effective coil coating process using conventional painting equipment. The highly selective coating is applied as a thin layer (5-20 micrometers) through spray or roller coating, eliminating the need for costly vacuum chambers and complex ion bombardment equipment, thereby dramatically reducing production costs while maintaining low thermal radiation emission properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the coating application method from vacuum-based physical/chemical deposition to conventional liquid coating processes. By controlling coating parameters such as layer thickness (5-20 micrometers), solvent content, and curing temperature, the patent achieves the same optical properties (high absorption, low emission) at a fraction of the equipment and operational cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If PVD or CVD processes are used to produce highly selective coating, then absorption efficiency is improved, but investment outlay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal radiation emissionVSAvoidinvestment outlay
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive PVD/CVD vacuum coating systems with a cost-effective coil coating process using conventional painting equipment. The highly selective coating is applied as a thin layer (5-20 micrometers) through spray or roller coating, eliminating the need for costly vacuum chambers and complex ion bombardment equipment, thereby dramatically reducing production costs while maintaining low thermal radiation emission properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex vacuum-based physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition equipment with simple mechanical coil coating equipment. The coating is applied using conventional spray guns or rollers that move along the continuously fed metal strip, replacing sophisticated vacuum systems with basic mechanical application devices, thus reducing investment outlay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If thick coating layers are applied to minimize thermal radiation, then energy loss is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal radiation emissionVSAvoidlayer thickness control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thin coating layers (5-20 micrometers) instead of thick layers, achieving sufficient thermal radiation control with minimal material. This partial action approach reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for multiple thick coating passes and complex thickness control systems, while still achieving the required optical performance through optimized coating composition and thin-film interference effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The coil coating process significantly reduces production costs and energy losses by achieving high absorption efficiency with low thermal radiation emission, using aluminum or aluminum alloys, and allows for embossing to enhance absorption surface area without cracking, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient absorber sheet.

Implementation Method 1

the strip is coated with a highly selective coating using a coil coating process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoil coating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

which are usually produced using a 'Physical Vapor Deposition' (PVD) process or a 'Chemical Vapor Deposition' (CVD) process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapor Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

the absorber, which converts the light energy of the sun into heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption of solar radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

the heat absorbed is not emitted again in the form of radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2054676B1Method for the production of an absorber sheet metal plate for solar collectors
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 HYDRO ALUMINIUM ROLLED PRODUCTS GMBH
  • EP2054676B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the production of an absorber sheet metal plate (1) for solar collectors made of a band of metal, particularly aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The invention further relates to an absorber sheet metal plate (1) for solar collectors and an advantageous use of the absorber sheet metal plate (1). The object to provide a method for the production of an absorber sheet metal plate for solar collectors, wherein the method enables the cost-effective production of an absorber sheet metal plate having a highly selective coating (2, 3, 4), is achieved by painting the band with a highly selective coating by means of a coil-coating process, the coating having excellent absorption properties for sunlight and low heat emission.