Ceramic Solar Heat Storage Using Fresnel Beam Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar power collection systems face challenges such as high thermal losses, damage from high temperatures, and inefficiencies due to the use of parabolic mirrors and heat transfer fluids, which limit their ability to produce high heating temperatures and are hazardous to passersby and birds.
Innovation Solution
A solar power collection system utilizing a collimated beam of solar radiation focused onto a high heat capacity ceramic heating element, such as porcelain, which directly heats a thermal storage medium through conduction, minimizing reflection losses and avoiding the use of reflective mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If parabolic mirrors or dish shaped mirrors are used to focus solar energy, then solar energy concentration is improved, but thermal losses increase and safety hazards are created for passersby and birds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful reflective property from the solar concentration system by replacing mirrors with a non-reflective Fresnel lens that absorbs rather than reflects sunlight, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining energy concentration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter from reflective (mirrors) to refractive/absorptive (Fresnel lens), fundamentally altering how solar energy is concentrated and eliminating the harmful reflection effect that causes safety hazards
2Temperature
If heat transfer fluids are used to transfer heat to thermal storage media, then high temperatures can be accommodated, but thermal losses increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heat transfer fluid from the system entirely, allowing the heating element to be in direct thermal contact with the thermal storage medium, thereby eliminating thermal losses associated with fluid circulation and heat exchanger interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heating element directly with the thermal storage medium, eliminating the intermediate heat transfer fluid and heat exchanger components, which reduces thermal losses and simplifies the system
3Temperature
If heat transfer fluids are used in solar collectors, then high temperatures can be achieved, but device complexity and pumping requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer fluid and associated pumping system from the design, achieving high temperatures through direct solar heating of the thermal storage medium without requiring complex fluid circulation infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses natural convection and direct thermal conduction for heat transfer, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high temperature capability
4Use of energy by moving object
If large heliostat mirrors are used to focus solar radiation on a central absorber tower, then solar energy can be concentrated, but energy is lost to reflection back into the environment and cosine losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter from reflective (heliostat mirrors) to absorptive (Fresnel lens), fundamentally altering how solar energy is concentrated and eliminating reflection losses and cosine losses associated with mirror-based systems
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 system achieves high temperature heating without breaking the ceramic element, reduces energy loss, and is safer for residential use, allowing for efficient solar energy collection and storage for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The beam directly heats the heating element through contact with a conical or concave depression on the element
Implementation Method 2
The heating element transfers solar energy to the thermal storage medium directly by conduction
Implementation Method 3
a collimated or substantially collimated or otherwise substantially concentrated beam of solar radiation, for example that produced by a Fresnel lens
Data Source
AI summary
Solar power collection systems characterized by using a collimated or otherwise concentrated beam of solar radiation to directly heat a porcelain or other high-heat capacity ceramic heating element by contact with an absorption surface on the element, which element in turn heats a thermal storage medium by conduction, methods of using the systems for collecting solar energy, and applications of the systems are disclosed.