Particle Curtain Air Recirculation Against Oblique Wind Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-intensity external winds, especially when blowing at oblique angles, destabilize the particle curtain in solar receivers, leading to particle loss and potential damage, necessitating a solution to maintain stability and efficiency during operation.
Innovation Solution
A suction-recirculation device is implemented, using a fan and ductwork to create a recirculating airflow within the receiver, stabilizing the particle curtain by sucking air through holes in the back wall and reintroducing it through the ceiling and front wall, minimizing heat loss and maintaining high efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the receiver operates with an open aperture to allow particle flow and solar energy entry, then heat absorption efficiency is improved, but particle loss due to external wind becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
A controlled airflow acts as an intermediary between the external wind and the particle curtain. The induced flow creates a protective air barrier that prevents external wind from directly disrupting the particle curtain, while still allowing the open aperture configuration to maintain heat absorption efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of external wind into a beneficial controlled airflow pattern. By allowing external wind to enter and then inducing a counter-rotating flow, the system transforms the disruptive wind energy into a protective flow structure that stabilizes the particle curtain.
2Productivity
If a particle curtain is used for direct solar absorption, then receiver efficiency at high temperatures is improved, but stability under oblique wind conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static particle curtain to a dynamic stabilized flow structure. By introducing controlled airflow that rotates in the opposite direction to external wind, the particle curtain becomes dynamically stabilized, maintaining its integrity under varying wind conditions while preserving high-temperature heat absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The induced counter-rotating airflow serves as a preliminary anti-action against external wind disruption. Before external wind can destabilize the particle curtain, the controlled airflow establishes a protective flow pattern that counteracts the destabilizing forces, preventing particle loss while maintaining curtain stability.
3Quantity of substance
If the receiver cavity is open for particle circulation, then thermal storage capability is improved, but susceptibility to wind-induced particle ejection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled airflow acts as a protective intermediary layer between the external environment and the particle circulation system. This air barrier allows the open cavity configuration to maintain thermal storage capacity while preventing wind from directly interacting with and ejecting particles from the circulation flow.
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 suction-recirculation device effectively stabilizes the particle curtain against winds exceeding 10 m/s, preventing particle loss and maintaining high receiver efficiency with minimal parasitic fan electricity consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A fan and ductwork is located behind the back wall of the receiver and sucks air out through an array of small holes in the back wall
Implementation Method 2
blackened alumina particles (the size of common beach sand) directly absorb the solar energy as they fall near the back wall within an open cavity
Implementation Method 3
Any entrained particles are separated out by a conventional cyclone device
Data Source
AI summary
A suction-recirculation device for stabilizing the flow of a curtain of blackened heat absorption particles falling inside of a solar receiver with an open aperture. The curtain of particles absorbs the concentrated heat from a solar mirror array reflected up to the receiver on a solar power tower. External winds entering the receiver at an oblique angle can destabilize the particle curtain and eject particles. A fan and ductwork is located behind the back wall of the receiver and sucks air out through an array of small holes in the back wall. Any entrained particles are separated out by a conventional cyclone device. Then, the air is recirculated back to the top of the receiver by injecting the recycled air through an array of small holes in the receiver's ceiling and upper aperture front wall. Since internal air is recirculated, heat losses are minimized and high receiver efficiency is maintained. Suction-recirculation velocities in the range of 1-5 m/s are sufficient to stabilize the particle curtain against external wind speeds in excess of 10 m/s.