Fluidized Particle Bed Solar Receiver Without Cavity or Window
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal energy storage and exchange devices using fluidized particle beds face issues such as high thermal gradients and durability concerns due to cavity exposure, limitations in operating temperature, and thermal losses, as well as challenges with transparent windows leading to delustring and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A device that directly receives concentrated solar radiation without interpositioning structures like cavities or windows, utilizing an optical system with primary and secondary reflectors to irradiate a fluidized bed, and a fluid-dynamic regimen that differentiates between an operative and accumulation region to enhance thermal 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 thermo-mechanical resistance and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cavity structure entirely, allowing concentrated solar radiation to directly irradiate the fluidized bed particles. This extraction of the intermediary cavity eliminates the thermal stress problems on cavity walls while maintaining effective thermal energy transfer to the particles through direct radiation absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a transparent window as an intermediary element that allows solar radiation to pass through while protecting the internal fluidized bed from direct environmental exposure. The window acts as a mediator that enables radiation transfer without requiring a cavity structure, thus solving both the thermal transfer efficiency and structural durability issues.
2Reliability
If the cavity walls are protected by organizing heliostat sub-sections to uniform thermal flows, then the thermal resistance is improved, but a considerable ground occupation is required for each solar generation unit
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the cavity structure entirely, the invention eliminates the need for complex heliostat sub-section arrangements designed to uniform thermal flows on cavity surfaces. The direct irradiation of fluidized bed particles achieves effective thermal energy transfer without requiring extensive ground occupation for protective structures.
3Reliability
If a transparent window is used to receive solar radiation, then the fluidized bed can be protected from direct exposure, but the window is subject to delustring phenomena that reduce reception effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the fluidized bed particles themselves to directly receive and absorb concentrated solar radiation without requiring protective windows. The particles' own properties (color, composition) provide the necessary radiation absorption, eliminating the delustring problem associated with transparent windows while maintaining protection through the fluidization process.
4Loss of energy
If larger quartz windows are produced to increase radiation reception area, then the energy collection is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the transparent window component entirely, replacing it with direct irradiation of the fluidized bed particles. This eliminates the manufacturing challenges and costs associated with producing large quartz windows while improving solar energy collection through direct particle absorption of concentrated radiation.
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 solution allows for higher operating temperatures, reduced thermal losses, increased durability, and improved thermal performance by directly transferring radiative power to the fluidized solid, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar energy storage and conversion.
Implementation Method 1
The fluidized bed is irradiated, that is struck, in direct way by the concentrated solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
an optical system with primary and secondary reflectors to irradiate a fluidized bed
Implementation Method 3
the bed of particles directly receives the concentrated solar radiation without interposition of receiving means
Implementation Method 4
a fluid-dynamic regimen that differentiates between an operative and accumulation region to enhance thermal energy distribution and transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1bis
Figure 1ter
AI summary
A device (1) for storage and exchange of thermal energy of solar origin, which device (1) is configured to receive a concentrated solar radiation using an optical system of "beam down" type, which device (1) comprises: - a containment casing (2) which defines an internal compartment (20) and has an upper opening (10) configured to allow entry of the concentrated solar radiation, which opening (10) puts in direct communication the internal compartment (20) with the external environment having no closure or screen means; - a bed (3) of fluidizable solid particles, received within the internal compartment (20), which bed (3) has an irradiated operative region (30) directly exposed, in use, to the concentrated solar radiation that enters through said opening (20) and a heat accumulation region (31) adjacent to said operative region (30); - fluidization elements (4) of the bed of particles (3), configured to feed fluidization air within the compartment (20), which fluidization means (4) 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 (30) absorb thermal energy from the solar radiation and they give it to the particles of the accumulation region (31).