Receiver having absorber modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy generation systems face challenges in optimizing the distribution of hot and return air mass flows across absorber modules, leading to inefficient heat recovery and thermal overstressing of supporting structures due to uneven radiation distribution and high thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
A receiver system with a support structure that includes return air ducts with baffles to throttle and adjust the return air mass flow, ensuring optimal distribution and minimizing internal heat loss, allowing for precise adjustment of mass flows and efficient heat recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If return air flows along the absorber modules to cool them, then the temperature of the absorber modules is reduced, but the mass flow of return air must be set very precisely to avoid excessive cooling and heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individually adjustable return air mass flow for each absorber module through separate return air ducts and throttling devices. This allows each module to receive precisely the cooling it needs based on its local thermal conditions, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling that would waste energy. The local adjustment capability ensures optimal temperature control without unnecessary heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by using throttling devices (such as adjustable valves or variable area openings) in the return air ducts to dynamically control the mass flow rate of return air. By changing the flow parameter of return air, the system can adapt to varying thermal loads and radiation conditions, maintaining optimal cooling efficiency while minimizing energy loss between hot and return air streams.
2Reliability
If the return air mass flow is increased to cool the supporting structure, then thermal overstressing is prevented, but the cooling requirements increase and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individually adjustable return air mass flow for each absorber module through separate return air ducts and throttling devices. This allows each module to receive precisely the cooling it needs based on its local thermal conditions, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling that would waste energy. The local adjustment capability ensures optimal temperature control without unnecessary heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by utilizing the return air (which has already cooled down after passing through the consumer) to cool the absorber modules and supporting structure. This self-cooling mechanism eliminates the need for additional cooling systems or external energy input, while the adjustable throttling devices allow the system to self-regulate the cooling intensity to match actual thermal demands, maintaining energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If individual mass flow adjustment is implemented for each absorber module, then optimized heat recovery is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the return air cooling system into separate, independently controllable ducts for each absorber module. Each duct can be adjusted individually through simple throttling devices, allowing precise control of return air distribution without requiring a complex centralized control system. This modular approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling individual optimization of each module's heat recovery.
4Temperature
If the return air is used to cool the absorber modules, then the temperature distribution is optimized, but the mass flow ratio between hot and return air must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individually adjustable return air mass flow for each absorber module through separate return air ducts and throttling devices. This allows each module to receive precisely the cooling it needs based on its local thermal conditions, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling that would waste energy. The local adjustment capability ensures optimal temperature control without unnecessary heat loss.
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 system achieves improved temperature and mass flow distribution across absorber modules, reducing thermal overstressing and maximizing solar energy recovery efficiency while minimizing cooling requirements and internal heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
The absorber modules each contain a porous absorber body that faces the incident solar radiation. Air is drawn in through the absorber body and heats up as it flows through the absorber body.
Implementation Method 2
Air is drawn in through the absorber body and heats up as it flows through the absorber body
Implementation Method 3
The return air flows between the absorber modules to exit at the front. It is then sucked back into the absorber body together with the ambient air.
Implementation Method 4
The return air flowing along the absorbers not only influences the temperature of the absorber modules, but also determines the temperature distribution of the supporting structure.
Implementation Method 5
In the return air ducts of individual or all absorber modules there is at least one baffle that throttles the return air mass flow and determines the mass flow of the return air of the relevant absorber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a receiver of a solar energy recovery plant (100), comprising a support structure (7), which carries a plurality of absorber modules (11) on a receiver front side, each comprising a retaining tube (21), which engages in a guide tube (41) of the support structure (7) such that a ring gap (50) is formed between the retaining tube (21) and the guide tube (41), through which return air flows to the receiver front side during operation in order to cool the support structure (7) and/or the affected absorber module (11). At least one throttling return air aperture (43) is arranged in at least one of the ring gaps (50), which defines a mass flow of the return air flowing through the affected ring gap (50) to the receiver front side.