Energy-efficient high level device, plant and method for the use of thermal energy of solar origin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal energy storage and exchange devices face issues such as high thermal gradients and durability concerns due to cavity exposure, limitations in maximum operating temperature, and thermal losses, particularly with structures using cavities or transparent windows.
Innovation Solution
A device that directly exposes a fluidized bed of particles to concentrated solar radiation without interposing structures like cavities or windows, utilizing an optical system with primary and secondary reflectors to concentrate radiation, and a fluidization system to manage different fluid-dynamic regimens for efficient energy distribution and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a cavity structure is used to receive concentrated solar radiation, then the thermal energy can be transferred to the fluidized bed, but the cavity walls are exposed to high thermal temperatures and gradients which compromise the thermo-mechanical resistance and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the cavity structure from the system. Instead of using a cavity to receive and transfer thermal energy, the patent directly exposes the fluidized bed particles to concentrated solar radiation through an opening in the casing, thereby removing the cavity walls that were causing thermal stress and durability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the fluidized bed particles as an intermediary medium. Rather than using cavity walls as the interface between solar radiation and the thermal storage medium, the particles themselves directly absorb the concentrated solar radiation and transfer thermal energy through fluidization and convection.
2Reliability
If the heliostat field is organized in several sub-sections to uniform thermal flows on cavity surface, then the thermal gradients are reduced, but a considerable ground occupation is required for each solar generation unit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cavity structure that necessitated the complex multi-subsection heliostat arrangement. By directly exposing the fluidized bed to solar radiation, the system achieves uniform energy distribution without requiring the cavity geometry that demanded segmented heliostat fields, thereby reducing ground occupation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a transparent window is used to allow solar radiation to reach the fluidized bed, then the bed can be directly irradiated, but the direct contact of the window with the fluidized solid causes delustring phenomena that reduce reception effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely removes the transparent window from the system. Instead of using a window as an interface, the patent creates a direct opening in the casing that allows concentrated solar radiation to contact the fluidized bed particles without any interposing transparent material, thereby eliminating delustring issues entirely.
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 approach allows for higher thermal energy distribution and absorption, increased operating temperatures, reduced thermal losses, and improved durability by eliminating interposing structures, leading to enhanced thermal performance and reduced costs for electrical energy production.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system, the latter constituted by primary heliostats and secondary reflecting means... for concentrating the solar radiation on the device
Implementation Method 2
The fluidized bed of particles directly absorbs the incident solar radiation and distributes the thermal energy throughout its volume
Implementation Method 3
a system for distributing and feeding a fluidizing gas... suitable to establish said fluid-dynamic regimen at the irradiated bed region
Implementation Method 4
distributes the thermal energy throughout its volume... determined a first fluid-dynamic regimen of the operative region different from a second fluid-dynamic regimen of an accumulation region
Data Source
AI summary
A device for storage and exchange of thermal energy of solar origin, which device is configured to receive a concentrated solar radiation using an optical system of “beam down” type, which device comprises: —a containment casing which defines an internal compartment and has an upper opening configured to allow entry of the concentrated solar radiation, which opening puts in direct communication the internal compartment with the external environment having no closure or screen means; —a bed of fluidizable solid particles, received within the internal compartment, which bed has an irradiated operative region directly exposed, in use, to the concentrated solar radiation that enters through said opening and a heat accumulation region adjacent to said operative region; —fluidization elements of the bed of particles, configured to feed fluidization air within the compartment, which fluidization means is configured to determine different fluid-dynamic regimens in the operative region and in the accumulation region, based upon different fluidization speeds, wherein, in use, the particles of the operative region absorb thermal energy from the solar radiation and they give it to the particles of the accumulation region.