Ground-Buried Solar Receiver With Phase Change Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar power systems face inefficiencies due to high heat losses, high capital costs, and limited energy storage density, particularly in tower-mounted receivers and molten salt compositions that decompose at elevated temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy receiver system utilizing a phase change material integrated with a solar concentrator, where the receiver is partially buried in the ground, featuring a container with a cover for thermal insulation, and a molten salt composition stable at temperatures exceeding 700°C, allowing for efficient energy storage and conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If tower-mounted receivers are used to concentrate solar energy, then solar energy concentration is achieved, but heat losses due to air convection and radiation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional tower-mounted receiver configuration by placing the receiver on the ground and using heliostats to reflect sunlight downward. This ground-based configuration eliminates the need for tall towers and reduces heat losses to ambient air, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving solar concentration and minimizing heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ambient air exposure into a benefit by burying the receiver in the ground. The earth provides natural insulation and cooling, reducing heat losses while maintaining the ability to concentrate solar energy at high temperatures through the heliostat reflection system.
2Power
If tower-mounted receivers are used to support heavy structures, then solar energy collection is enabled, but capital costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the structural configuration by eliminating the tall tower and placing the receiver on the ground. This dramatically reduces the amount of structural material needed, lowering capital costs while maintaining solar energy collection capacity through the heliostat field that reflects sunlight to the ground-based receiver.
3Quantity of substance
If molten salt is used as thermal storage medium, then thermal energy storage is achieved, but maximum temperature is limited due to decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the molten salt from conventional nitrate mixtures to chloride-based compositions. This parameter change allows the system to operate at temperatures exceeding 700°C without decomposition, thereby increasing thermal energy storage density and improving the efficiency of downstream power cycles.
4Loss of energy
If ground-based receiver with buried configuration is used, then thermal insulation is improved, but accessibility for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiver system into modular components that can be accessed individually. The receiver is designed with removable sections and accessible ports that allow maintenance personnel to service the system even when partially buried, resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and maintenance accessibility.
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 configuration enhances energy storage density, reduces capital costs, and provides a continuous power supply by maintaining high temperatures for efficient energy conversion, even during cloud cover or at night, without the need for fossil fuel backup or expensive battery storage.
Implementation Method 1
the receiver is adapted to contain a phase change material 'pool' or 'pond,' and a cover disposed above the container
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heliostats that are configured such that they reflect impinging solar radiation directly (i.e., without further reflections) into an interior of the receiver
Implementation Method 3
The cover may include a cooling system that facilitates the condensation and retention of evaporated phase change material
Implementation Method 4
the receiver is (at least partially) buried in the ground, which provides thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.