Boiler for solar receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar boilers face challenges with solar flux leakage and panel breakage due to thermal expansion and contraction, which also risks damaging internal components from concentrated solar flux.
Innovation Solution
A solar boiler design featuring primary receiver panels spaced apart with a secondary receiver arrangement across the gap, including secondary boiler tubes and support members, to capture solar flux and allow thermal expansion without leakage or bending, coupled with a panel joining attachment for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If gaps are provided between adjacent panels to manage thermal expansion and contraction, then the panels can expand freely without breakage, but solar flux leakage occurs and internal components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary receiver arrangement is introduced as an intermediary element positioned across the gap between primary receiver panels. This secondary arrangement captures solar flux that would otherwise leak through the gap, converting it into useful energy while preventing damage to internal components. The secondary receiver acts as a mediator that addresses both the thermal expansion need and the solar flux leakage problem simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extends the receiver system into a third dimension by placing secondary receiver tubes across the gap between primary panels. Instead of trying to eliminate the gap or make panels rigid, the invention utilizes the gap space vertically by positioning secondary receivers that span across the gap, thereby converting a problematic feature (the gap) into a functional element that captures additional solar flux.
2Productivity
If adjacent panels are arranged without spacing to avoid solar flux leakage, then solar flux utilization is improved, but panels may break or tubes may bend due to thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver system is segmented into primary receiver panels and secondary receiver arrangements that are independently positioned. The primary panels maintain spacing for thermal expansion, while secondary receivers fill the gap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other, enabling both solar flux capture and thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the primary receiver panels with secondary receiver arrangements to create a hybrid system. The secondary receivers are positioned across the gaps between primary panels, effectively combining the functions of both configurations: the primary panels provide structured solar flux capture with expansion space, while the secondary receivers eliminate solar flux leakage through the gaps.
3Strength
If gaps are provided between panels to allow thermal expansion, then panel breakage is prevented, but substantial loss of solar flux occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of gaps (solar flux leakage) into a beneficial feature by positioning secondary receiver arrangements across the gaps. These secondary receivers capture the solar flux that would otherwise be lost, transforming the energy loss into useful thermal energy. The gaps remain open for thermal expansion, but the leaked flux is now captured rather than wasted.
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 design effectively prevents solar flux leakage and panel breakage, enabling efficient thermal expansion while protecting internal components, and allows for easy fabrication and assembly, making it economical and manageable.
Implementation Method 1
Each panel includes a plurality of substantially parallel primary boiler tubes for receiving solar flux incident thereon
Implementation Method 2
endmost primary boiler tubes are supported over the support member in a spaced relation to the secondary boiler tube, for enabling transverse and lateral thermal expansion of the tubes
Data Source
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AI summary
A solar boiler 300 includes first and second primary receiver panels 500, 600 spaced apart by a gap 700. Each panel 500, 600 include a plurality of primary boiler tubes 510, 610 for receiving solar flux. The boiler 300 includes at least one secondary receiver arrangement 800 disposed across the gap 700 for receiving solar flux incident thereacross. The arrangement 800 includes at least one secondary boiler tube 810, and at least one support member 820 supported thereto. The arrangement 800 is configured relative to the primary panels 500, 600 such that endmost primary boiler tubes 510a, 610a are supported over the support member 820 in spaced relation 'S' to the secondary boiler tube 810 for enabling transverse and lateral thermal expansion of the tubes 510, 610, 810 without bending out. Further, a panel joining attachment 900 is provided for attaching the panels 500, 600 and the arrangement 800.