Non-Circular Heat Receiver for Rooftop Concentrated Solar Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parabolic troughs for concentrated solar power are too large for urban areas and when scaled down to fit on rooftops, they struggle to achieve high temperatures due to reduced aperture size, leading to increased power requirements for pumping heat transferring fluid and decreased efficiency in thermal energy storage.
Innovation Solution
A non-circular heat receiver with an insulation layer on the outer surface and a non-insulated area for concentrated sunlight, allowing for a smaller aperture size while maintaining high temperatures of at least 550 degrees Celsius, and featuring various duct shapes to optimize performance, such as rectangular or circular ducts with specific irradiated areas, to reduce pressure drop and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the aperture of parabolic troughs is decreased to fit on rooftops, then the device can be installed in urban areas, but the power required to pump the heat transferring fluid increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-circular duct cross-section where only a specific portion (e.g., bottom or side) is insulated while other portions remain non-insulated to receive concentrated solar irradiation. This selective insulation strategy optimizes heat absorption in the irradiated zones while minimizing heat loss in non-irradiated zones, thereby maintaining high HTF temperatures with reduced pumping power requirements in small aperture troughs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the duct from circular to non-circular (such as rectangular or partially insulated circular) to optimize the ratio of irradiated surface area to total surface area. This parameter change allows for better solar energy capture efficiency in small aperture troughs, reducing the pumping power needed to achieve the same thermal output
2Area of stationary object
If the aperture of parabolic troughs is decreased to fit on rooftops, then the device can be installed in urban areas, but the maximum operating temperature of the heat transferring fluid decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-circular duct cross-section where only a specific portion (e.g., bottom or side) is insulated while other portions remain non-insulated to receive concentrated solar irradiation. This selective insulation strategy optimizes heat absorption in the irradiated zones while minimizing heat loss in non-irradiated zones, thereby maintaining high HTF temperatures with reduced pumping power requirements in small aperture troughs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by using non-circular duct cross-sections (such as rectangular or partially insulated circular) where the insulation is applied asymmetrically to specific portions of the duct. This asymmetric design optimizes the distribution of solar irradiation and heat retention, enabling higher operating temperatures in small aperture troughs suitable for rooftop installation
3Length of stationary object
If the hydraulic inner diameter of the heat receiver is decreased, then the aperture can be reduced for urban installation, but the power required to pump the heat transferring fluid increases to 907000-953% of electrical output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the duct from circular to non-circular (such as rectangular or partially insulated circular) to optimize the ratio of irradiated surface area to total surface area. This parameter change allows for better solar energy capture efficiency in small aperture troughs, reducing the pumping power needed to achieve the same thermal output
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 efficient generation of high-temperature heat transferring fluid at small scale, reducing power losses and making urban CSP competitive with fossil fuel and lithium-ion battery storage solutions, while allowing for electricity generation in proximity to the user.
Implementation Method 1
A parabolic trough with an aperture of below 2 meters concentrates sunlight onto the non-insulated area of the non-circular duct of the heat receiver
Implementation Method 2
The non-circular duct contains a heat transferring fluid which can reach temperatures of at least 550 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 3
a non-circular duct that distinguishes an insulated area with an insulation layer on the outer surface of the non-circular duct and a non-insulated area
Implementation Method 4
The non-circular duct contains a heat transferring fluid which can reach temperatures of at least 550 degrees Celsius
Data Source
AI summary
An urban concentrated solar power for mounting on a roof top is provided. The urban concentrated solar power has a heat receiver has a non-circular duct that distinguishes an insulated area with an insulation layer on the outer surface of the non-circular duct and a non-insulated area. The non-circular duct contains a heat transferring fluid which can reach temperatures of at least 500 degrees Celsius. A parabolic trough with an aperture of below 2 meters concentrates sunlight onto the non-insulated area of the non-circular duct of the heat receiver. The heat receiver can be placed in a glass tube. Due to roof top mounting the electricity can be generated in proximity of the user and as a result decrease net congestion. The low-cost heat receiver design will make electricity generated by urban CSP competitive with electricity from fossil fuel plants and PV combined with lithium-ion battery storage.