Method for detecting and locating a defect in a thermal solar field
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and locating faults in thermal solar fields, such as balancing, capture, and thermal loss defects, are inefficient and require expensive equipment or complex visual inspections, making it difficult to maintain optimal efficiency and production.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves stagnating the heat transfer fluid in solar collectors, recording temperature variations after restarting the pump, and analyzing these curves against a reference curve to detect and locate faults without additional equipment, utilizing intrinsic properties of the solar field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If visual inspection methods are used to detect faults in solar collectors, then fault detection is possible, but the localization of affected collectors becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated optical detection system using a camera to capture images of solar collectors. The system automatically processes images to detect faults and localize affected collectors, eliminating the need for manual inspection and significantly reducing localization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of solar collectors and analyzes these copies to detect faults. By working with image data rather than physically inspecting each collector, the system achieves rapid fault localization without manual intervention.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If infrared camera techniques are used for fault detection, then some faults can be detected, but the method requires expensive equipment and cannot detect all fault types including balancing faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard imaging equipment and automated image processing algorithms that are already widely available, eliminating the need for specialized infrared cameras. The method leverages the self-emitted light from solar collectors under sunlight to detect various fault types including balancing faults that infrared methods miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from thermal radiation (infrared) to visible light reflection and emission characteristics. By analyzing visual parameters such as brightness distribution, color variations, and light reflection patterns, the system can detect all fault types using standard cameras instead of expensive infrared equipment.
3Measurement precision
If detailed visual inspection of all solar collectors is performed to locate faults, then fault localization is possible, but the process becomes complex and requires inspecting each collector individually
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the solar field into individual collector units in the captured image and analyzes each segment independently. By processing images to identify and evaluate each collector separately, the system achieves precise fault localization without requiring manual inspection of each collector, automatically segmenting the analysis task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing algorithms as an intermediary between the camera and fault detection. These algorithms automatically analyze the captured images, identify anomalies, and localize faults, replacing the need for manual visual inspection and simplifying the overall process while maintaining high precision.
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
Enables effective detection and localization of faults within the solar field, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs by using existing components and processes, allowing for timely repairs and optimal solar production.
Implementation Method 1
a set of solar collectors arranged in rows, each row of solar collectors being arranged so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in one of the pipes
Implementation Method 2
each row of solar collectors being arranged so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in one of the pipes
Implementation Method 3
a heat transfer fluid outlet channel equipped with a first temperature sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~5B
Figure 6A~6D
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting and locating a defect in a solar thermal field (100) comprising a plurality of pipes (121-125) in which a fluid circulates and a set of solar collectors (110) arranged in rows (111-115) and heating the fluid, said method comprising the following operations: - stagnation (210) of the fluid inside each solar collector (110) for a predetermined time, the feed pump (140) being stopped, - at the end of the predetermined time, starting (230) the feed pump (140) at a first flow rate so that the fluid circulates to the temperature sensor (130), - recording (240), in the form of curves, of the temperature variations of the fluid measured by the temperature sensor (130), and - analysis (250) of the curves obtained and determination (260) of the existence of a defect and its location.