Linear Solar Receiver for Concentrating Solar Power Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar parabolic trough receivers face issues such as expensive absorption coatings, vacuum degradation leading to thermal losses, and the need for thick glass envelopes to withstand vacuum and wind, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A receiver design featuring a central tube with a solar absorber coating on its exterior surface, a thermally insulating jacket, and a planar absorber surface to minimize infrared radiation loss, eliminating the need for a vacuum and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a vacuum is used to prevent heat loss by convection and conduction, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but vacuum degradation occurs leading to increased thermal losses and receiver replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the vacuum requirement from the receiver design. By using an atmospheric pressure design with advanced selective absorber coatings and optimized geometry, the system achieves comparable or superior thermal performance without the reliability issues of vacuum maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameter from vacuum to atmospheric pressure. This fundamental parameter change allows the use of simpler materials and construction while achieving the same thermal insulation performance through optimized surface properties and geometry
2Strength
If thick glass envelopes are used to withstand vacuum and wind stresses, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for thick vacuum-containing glass envelopes by eliminating the vacuum requirement. The receiver operates at atmospheric pressure, allowing the use of thinner, less expensive materials that are easier to manufacture and install
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing for vacuum containment (which requires thick, strong materials), the invention inverts the approach by designing for atmospheric pressure operation. This reversal allows the use of thinner, more cost-effective materials while maintaining structural integrity
3Use of energy by moving object
If absorptive coating is applied to increase energy absorption, then solar energy absorption is improved, but infrared radiation emission losses increase with temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using selective absorber coatings that have different optical properties for different wavelengths. The coating is designed to have high absorptance in the solar spectrum while maintaining low emittance in the infrared range, achieving both goals simultaneously through wavelength-specific properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs spectral selectivity analogous to color changes, where the coating appears different to different wavelengths of light. It absorbs visible and near-infrared solar radiation efficiently while being reflective or low-emittance in the thermal infrared range, effectively 'changing color' based on the wavelength of incident radiation
4Productivity
If operating temperature is increased to improve thermodynamic efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but thermal losses increase as the fourth power of temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal and optical parameters of the receiver system, including operating temperature, coating properties, and geometry. By optimizing these parameters together, the system achieves high operating temperatures with reduced thermal losses through improved selective absorption and reduced emittance
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 allows for operation at higher temperatures with improved efficiency, reducing thermal storage media requirements and lowering the levelized cost of energy production while extending the lifespan of receivers.
Implementation Method 1
a solar absorber coating on an exterior surface of the radiation-absorbing element... the solar radiation absorbing element designed to absorb an incident flux of solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
a substantially opaque thermally insulating jacket... surrounding the radiation-absorbing element
Implementation Method 3
a planar absorber surface to minimize infrared radiation loss
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.