Fluidized Particle Bed Solar Thermal Storage Without Tower Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy production and storage plants face challenges with high costs, maintenance difficulties, and safety concerns due to the use of costly materials and tall structures, which lead to inefficient energy production and increased heat dispersion.
Innovation Solution
A device for storage and transfer of thermal energy using a bed of fluidizable particles positioned on the ground, with concentrated solar radiation absorbed through a cylindrical cavity, allowing for efficient heat storage and transfer, and the option to connect multiple thermal categories in series for enhanced efficiency and cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the storage device is positioned at high altitude on a tower structure, then solar radiation concentration is improved, but construction costs and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the storage device high on a tower to receive solar radiation from below, the invention inverts the configuration by placing the storage device on the ground and directing solar radiation from above through heliostats that reflect sunlight downward onto the storage cavity, eliminating the need for tall tower structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses reflective surfaces (heliostats) to create a virtual image of the sun below the horizon, effectively copying the solar radiation path to illuminate the ground-level storage device from above, achieving the same illumination effect as a tall tower without the structural complexity
2Illumination intensity
If the storage device is positioned at high altitude, then solar radiation reception is improved, but maintenance difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the vertical positioning from high-altitude storage to ground-level storage, making the storage device easily accessible for maintenance while still receiving concentrated solar radiation through the inverted heliostat configuration that directs sunlight downward onto the storage cavity
3Reliability
If valuable materials are used for high-temperature apparatuses, then operational reliability is improved, but heat dispersion and production costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces valuable, expensive materials with cheaper, readily available materials such as ordinary concrete for the storage cavity and common construction materials for the heliostats, achieving reliable operation without the heat dispersion and cost issues associated with expensive high-temperature materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating temperature parameters by using a fluidized bed of particles that can operate at high temperatures without requiring expensive refractory materials, achieving reliable high-temperature operation through parameter optimization rather than material substitution
4Illumination intensity
If the storage device is positioned on a tall tower, then solar radiation concentration is achieved, but safety risks from high-temperature material leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the positioning from high-altitude to ground level, eliminating the safety hazard of high-temperature material leakage from tall structures while maintaining effective solar radiation concentration through the reflected sunlight configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of high-temperature material handling by using a fluidized bed system where particles are contained in a ground-level cavity, transforming the safety risk into a controlled, monitorable process that enhances rather than compromises operational safety
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 solution achieves high production efficiencies, low investment and maintenance costs, and improved safety by maximizing solar radiation absorption and reducing heat losses, making it suitable for high-power electric energy production plants.
Implementation Method 1
a device for storage and transfer of thermal energy of solar origin based on a solid storage means consisting in a bed of fluidizable particles... Irradiation from above can be carried out by reflection optical systems... or by mere positioning of a mirror or equivalent means at an altitude
Implementation Method 2
The use of solar energy concentrated by heliostats is known in the art
Implementation Method 3
The above-mentioned fluidizable bed of particles can carry out the dual function of storing heat transferred from the walls of the receiving cavity and transferring such heat to further heat exchanging elements
Implementation Method 4
a device for storage and transfer of thermal energy of solar origin based on a solid storage means consisting in a bed of fluidizable particles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A device (1; 10; 11; 12) for storage and transfer of thermal energy associated with an incident solar radiation, which is used in a solar plant for the production of energy, based on an optical plant configuration which makes solar radiation converge from above, and comprises: - a containment casing (2); and - a dual bed (31, 32) of fluidizable particles received inside the casing (2) and arranged the one circumscribed to the other one, wherein the casing (2) has at least one receiving cylindrical cavity (20) which extends through the bed (3) of particles and has a open top inlet (21) for receiving the solar radiation concentrated by a field of heliostats and an open or closed bottom (22) at the level of the base of the bed of particles, the overall arrangement being such that one of the beds of particles (31) is arranged in contact with the side skirt (23) of the cylindrical cavity (20) for storing thermal energy received from the solar radiation and the other one bed of particles (32) is arranged in contact with pipe bundles (41) crossed by the working fluid.