Movable Solar Absorber Structure for Even Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar collectors are inefficient in converting solar radiation to usable energy due to uneven heating of absorbers, leading to increased reflectivity and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy collector design featuring a rotating and translating absorber with a tortuous fluid pathway, uneven outer surface, and a fenestrated screen to ensure even heating and retention of solar radiation, combined with a pumping system to regulate fluid flow and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the absorber is stationary, then the structure is simple, but the heating is uneven causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber is made movable instead of stationary, allowing it to change position dynamically. The absorber can rotate about a vertical axis and translate along the incident beam direction, enabling different portions of the absorber surface to receive solar radiation sequentially, thus achieving uniform heating and reducing energy loss from hot spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorber undergoes periodic motion, rotating and translating in a cyclic manner to distribute solar energy uniformly across its surface. This periodic movement ensures that no single area remains continuously exposed to direct radiation, preventing localized overheating and the associated energy losses.
2Loss of energy
If the absorber surface is smooth, then the manufacturing is easier, but the reflectivity increases causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber surface is given a non-uniform, uneven texture rather than being smooth. This local variation in surface quality increases the probability that reflected solar radiation will be scattered at angles that redirect it back onto the absorber surface or into the collector, reducing energy loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Productivity
If the fluid pathway is straight, then the flow is simpler, but the heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway is designed as a tortuous (curved/convoluted) path rather than a straight line. This curved pathway increases the residence time of the fluid within the absorber and enhances heat transfer efficiency by maximizing contact between the fluid and the heated absorber surface, while the complexity remains manageable.
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 design enhances energy absorption and retention, improving the efficiency of solar radiation conversion to heat energy and reducing energy loss, allowing for more effective heating of fluids for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the absorber is arranged to absorb the energy of the incident beam of solar radiation to thereby convert that energy to heat energy
Implementation Method 2
as the absorber warms up to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, the absorber gives off a greater part of any accumulated heat energy in the form of long-wave heat rays
Implementation Method 3
The outer surface of the absorber will reflect at least some of the incident beam of solar radiation onto an inner surface of the outer casing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector (18) including an outer casing (20) having at least one aperture (22) disposed therein and an absorber (24) disposed within the outer casing (20). The aperture (22) is arranged to receive a beam (16) of solar radiation therethrough so that the beam (16) is incident on the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged in use to absorb the energy of the beam of solar radiation and to thereby convert solar radiation to heat energy to heat a fluid communicated through the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged to be moved by a moving means to promote even heating of the absorber (24).