Absorber tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorber tubes in solar thermal power plants face efficiency losses due to hydrogen permeation into evacuated annular spaces, leading to increased pressure and heat conduction, which reduces their service life and energy yield, and existing solutions for introducing inert gases are complex and impractical.

Innovation Solution

A design where a holding device with metallic soldering points fixes and seals a container filled with protective gas in the annular space, allowing easy introduction of inert gas by external heat influence, and optionally includes a getter material container for hydrogen binding, simplifying manufacturing and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the annular space is evacuated to minimize heat losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but hydrogen permeation from the thermal oil increases pressure and heat conduction over time, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a container with protective gas and getter material into the annular space before operation begins. The getter material is pre-positioned to absorb hydrogen as it permeates from the thermal oil, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise occur over time. This preliminary preparation allows the system to maintain vacuum integrity and low heat conduction throughout the service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses getter material as an intermediary substance between the thermal oil and the evacuated annular space. The getter material absorbs hydrogen atoms that permeate through the metal tube wall, acting as a mediator that prevents hydrogen from accumulating in the annular space and increasing pressure. This intermediary function extends service life while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of the evacuated space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If getter materials are placed in the annular space to absorb hydrogen, then service life is extended, but the absorption capacity fluctuates due to temperature variations from solar radiation, creating non-uniform pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidpressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent distributes multiple getter material containers at different positions within the annular space, including both inner and outer regions. This spatial distribution ensures that hydrogen absorption occurs uniformly throughout the annular space, compensating for local temperature variations caused by solar radiation. Each container maintains local pressure equilibrium, preventing non-uniform pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the getter material into multiple separate containers rather than using a single large container. This segmentation allows better thermal management and more uniform heat distribution across all getter material portions. The multiple containers can be positioned to receive relatively uniform solar radiation, reducing temperature fluctuations and maintaining stable absorption capacity throughout the annular space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If inert gas is introduced into the annular space when getter capacity is exhausted, then heat conduction is reduced despite hydrogen presence, but the configuration is theoretically complex and practically difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat conductionVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the protective gas container and getter material into the annular space during the initial vacuum evacuation process, before the system begins operation. The container is sealed in place with soldering points that remain closed during normal operation. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex later interventions to introduce gas or replace getter material, greatly simplifying practical implementation while maintaining the ability to reduce heat conduction when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the container with getter material and protective gas to automatically absorb hydrogen and maintain pressure equilibrium without external intervention. The system self-regulates hydrogen levels through the getter material's passive absorption capability, eliminating the need for complex monitoring and manual refilling systems. This self-service approach reduces implementation complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution reduces heat losses, extends the service life of absorber tubes by maintaining efficient gas distribution and absorption capacity, while simplifying the manufacturing and operation of absorber tubes by using easily producible materials and reducing personnel costs.

Implementation Method 1

the holding device comprising one or more soldering points made of metallic solder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 2

Many inert gases have a low thermal conductivity, so that the heat conduction through the annular space can be reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the hydrogen that has got into the annular space can be bound by getter materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the released hydrogen passes through the metal pipe into the evacuated annular space, with the permeation rate likewise increasing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2507563B1Absorber tube
Publication Date: 2017.02.08 SCHOTT AG
  • EP2507563B1 patent drawing
  • EP2507563B1 patent drawing
  • EP2507563B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an absorber tube, in particular for solar collectors (10) in solar thermal power plants, having at least one collector mirror (12), comprising a metal tube (22) for carrying and heating a heat transfer medium, a sleeve tube (24) enclosing the metal tube (22) for forming an annular space (26) that can be evacuated, a first container (40) disposed in the annular space (26) and filled with protective gas, wherein the first container (40) comprises an outlet opening (52) closed by a closure material (54), which releases the outlet opening (52) under external actuation for introducing the protective gas into the annular space (26), wherein the external actuation can be applied by an opening unit (67) that can be activated for releasing the outlet openings (52), and an outer ring (37) and a transition element (36) enclosing the metal tube (22) for sealing off the annular space (26). The first container (40) is fixed in the annular space (26) by means of a retaining device (50), wherein the retaining device is disposed on the outer ring (37) and/or on the transition element (36).