Fluidized Particle Bed Solar Receiver with Direct Irradiation Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for accumulating and exchanging thermal energy of solar origin face inefficiencies due to thermal leaks, durability issues, and maintenance challenges, particularly with the use of cavities or transparent windows that lead to thermal gradients and soiling, making them unsuitable for competitive industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A device that directly irradiates a fluidized bed of particles with concentrated solar radiation through an opening in the casing, eliminating the need for intermediate structures like cavities or windows, and incorporates a fluidization system for effective heat exchange and particle recirculation, enhancing thermal performance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cavity structure is used to receive solar radiation, then thermal energy can be accumulated, but the cavity walls are exposed to high temperatures and thermal gradients causing durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cavity structure entirely from the system. Instead of having solar radiation enter through a cavity with walls that must withstand thermal stress, the invention directly exposes the fluidized bed particles to concentrated solar radiation through an opening, eliminating the thermal exposure problem of cavity walls while maintaining thermal energy accumulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluidized bed of particles as an intermediary medium between the solar radiation and the heat transfer fluid. The particles directly absorb solar radiation and transfer thermal energy to the fluid through heat exchange, eliminating the need for cavity walls that would otherwise be exposed to high temperatures
2Productivity
If transparent windows are used to allow solar radiation entry, then radiation can reach the fluidized bed, but the windows suffer from soiling, dust deposit and opacification reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transparent window component from the system entirely. By using an opening instead of a window, the invention eliminates the problems of soiling, dust deposit, and opacification that affect window performance, while still allowing solar radiation to enter and heat the fluidized bed particles
3Power
If quartz windows of large size are used for industrial systems, then sufficient radiation can enter, but the window thickness must increase for structural support reducing radiation transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the quartz window component entirely by using a simple opening in the casing. This removes the fundamental trade-off between window size/thickness and radiation transmission, allowing maximum solar radiation to enter the system without the energy losses associated with thick quartz windows
4Use of energy by stationary object
If cavity structures with transparent windows are used, then thermal energy can be received, but thermal leaks occur towards the external environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cavity structure that causes thermal leakage. By directly exposing the fluidized bed to solar radiation through an opening without enclosing cavity walls, the invention eliminates the thermal bridges and heat loss pathways that exist in cavity-based designs, improving overall thermal energy efficiency
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 achieves higher maximal temperatures, improved thermal efficiency, and increased durability by directly transferring radiation to the fluidized solid, reducing thermal leaks and allowing for easier maintenance without interrupting operation.
Implementation Method 1
concentrated solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
directly irradiates a fluidized bed of particles with concentrated solar radiation
Implementation Method 3
fluidized bed of particles
Implementation Method 4
exchange of thermal energy with a fluid vector
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for accumulation and exchange of thermal energy of solar origin, which device (1) is configured to receive a solar radiation concentrated by an optical system, which device (1) comprises: - a casing (2) which defines an internal compartment (20) and has an irradiation opening (10; 10') configured to allow the entry of the concentrated solar radiation, which opening (10; 10') puts in direct communication said inner compartment (20) with the external environment being devoid, in use, of closure or screen means; - a bed (3) of fluidizable solid particles, received within said inner compartment (20) of said casing (2), which bed (3) has an operative region (30) directly exposed, in use, to the concentrated solar radiation that enters through said opening (10; 10'), in such a way that the particles of said operative region (30) absorb thermal energy from solar radiation; and - fluidization means (4) of said bed of particles (3), configured to adduce a fluidizing gas into said compartment (20) at least at said operative region (30).