Modular Solar Receiver Layout for Thermal Expansion and Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar receivers face challenges with thermal expansion, differential heating, and non-homogeneous fluid heating due to large size and inhomogeneous solar flux distribution, leading to potential structural damage and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A modular solar receiver design with multiple absorber modules, each having its own fluidic circuit, allowing for interconnection and adaptive fluid supply based on flux zones, reducing thermomechanical stresses and optimizing heating by providing homogeneous fluid temperature across the receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large-sized receiver is used to increase heat absorption capacity, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the receiver experiences non-homogeneous illumination and differential expansions that can be harmful to the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into multiple independent absorber modules, each with its own fluidic circuit. This segmentation allows each module to expand independently, avoiding differential expansion stresses, while the collective array maintains high power generation efficiency through coordinated operation of all modules.
2Area of stationary object
If a single large absorber structure is used to maximize surface area, then the solar radiation absorption is improved, but the thermomechanical stresses from thermal expansion become very constraining
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber surface is segmented into multiple modules that can expand independently. Each module experiences uniform thermal expansion within its boundaries, and the gaps between modules accommodate expansion without generating constraining thermomechanical stresses, while the total absorber area remains maximized.
Solution Approach 2:
Each absorber module is designed with uniform local properties and independent fluidic circuits, ensuring homogeneous heating and expansion characteristics within each module. This local uniformity prevents differential expansion stresses while maintaining overall large surface area for solar radiation absorption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a large absorber surface is used to increase fluid heating capacity, then the energy conversion is improved, but the fluid heating becomes non-homogeneous due to flux distribution variations
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic system is segmented into independent circuits for each absorber module, allowing customized fluid supply strategies. Modules in high-flux zones receive cold fluid while modules in low-flux zones receive preheated fluid, achieving homogeneous overall fluid heating and maximizing energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid supply strategy is adapted locally to match the solar flux distribution. Different modules receive fluid at different temperatures based on their illumination conditions, ensuring homogeneous heating across the entire receiver and improving overall energy conversion efficiency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If modular design with individual fluidic circuits is implemented to improve heating uniformity, then the fluid temperature homogeneity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into identical or standardized absorber modules, each with its own fluidic circuit. This modular approach achieves homogeneous fluid heating through independent circuit control while managing complexity through standardization and scalability - complex functionality is achieved by replicating simple modular units rather than designing a single complex system.
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 modular design enhances structural robustness, reduces thermomechanical stresses, and improves fluid heating uniformity, enabling efficient operation and easy maintenance by allowing individual module replacement, thus minimizing downtime and repair costs.
Implementation Method 1
A solar receiver for a thermal power station comprises a plurality of absorber modules, each absorber module comprising at least one face intended to be illuminated by a solar flux
Implementation Method 2
The tubes are advantageously embedded in a matrix with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 3
the fluidic circuits of the absorber modules are interconnected so that the fluid circulates at least between a first absorber and a second absorber
Implementation Method 4
it is subject to a high service temperature, to thermal gradients through the internal structure linked to the conductive transfer of a high heat flux, and to rapid temperature variations of large amplitudes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
Solar receiver (R2) for a thermal power plant comprising a plurality of absorber modules (M1, M2), each absorber module (M1, M2) comprising at least one face intended to be illuminated by a solar flux, in which the modules (M1, M2) are arranged side by side to form a paving. Each absorber module (M1, M2) further comprises its own fluid circuit (4) in which a fluid intended to be heated up by the solar flux is intended to flow, the fluid circuits of the absorber modules (M1, M2) being connected to one another.