Solar power tower with spray nozzle and rotating receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar power generation systems relying on coolant systems are prone to receiver meltdown due to coolant pump failures, leading to power outages and prolonged system downtime, as they require coolant flow to prevent overheating, which is not always feasible during power failures.
Innovation Solution
A solar power tower with a sealed, rotatable spherical receiver that uses a spray nozzle to generate steam internally from water, eliminating the need for coolant and allowing continuous operation by rotating the receiver to avoid overheating, with heliostats directing sun rays onto the sphere to heat it and produce steam for electricity generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coolant system is used to prevent receiver meltdown, then the receiver can be protected from overheating, but the system becomes vulnerable to pump failures causing power outages and prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coolant system entirely from the solar receiver design. Instead of using a separate coolant circulation system with pumps and pipes, the invention generates steam directly within the receiver chamber by spraying water onto heated surfaces, eliminating the vulnerable coolant infrastructure while maintaining receiver protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver becomes self-regulating through direct steam generation. The system uses its own solar-heated surfaces to vaporize water droplets, creating steam that can be immediately extracted for power generation. This self-service mechanism eliminates dependence on external coolant pumps and complex circulation systems
2Temperature
If a coolant pump is used to circulate coolant, then the receiver can be cooled effectively, but the system fails during power outages when the pump cannot operate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using coolant to remove heat from the receiver, the invention inverts the approach by using the receiver's heat directly to generate steam from sprayed water. The heat that would otherwise be wasted is converted into useful steam for power generation, eliminating the need for active cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition of water to steam directly within the receiver. By spraying liquid water onto the heated receiver surfaces, the water rapidly vaporizes, absorbing excess heat and generating usable steam simultaneously. This phase change mechanism provides passive temperature regulation without requiring powered cooling equipment
3Reliability
If automatic defocusing of reflectors is used to prevent receiver meltdown during pump failure, then the receiver can be protected, but electricity generation must be halted and system restart takes substantial time
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains readiness for continuous operation by having water spray nozzles positioned within the receiver that can immediately begin vaporizing water upon contact with heated surfaces. This preliminary positioning of water delivery systems ensures that steam generation can continue uninterrupted during power failures without requiring reflector defocusing or system shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous steam generation by using multiple water spray nozzles distributed throughout the receiver chamber. Even if some nozzles or water supply lines experience issues, other nozzles continue generating steam, maintaining uninterrupted power generation capability without requiring system-wide shutdowns or reflector defocusing
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
This design enables continuous operation without coolant reliance, preventing receiver meltdown and ensuring efficient steam generation for electricity production, even during power failures, by rotating the spherical receiver to maintain exposure to sunlight and using internal water vaporization for steam production.
Implementation Method 1
A spray nozzle within the sphere directs water supplied to it from an external source onto the interior surface of the sphere to create steam
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of heliostats surrounds the tower and direct sunrays onto the sphere for heating the same sphere
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of heliostats surrounds the tower and direct sunrays onto the sphere
Implementation Method 4
A motor rotates the sphere about its vertical axis thereby regularly exposing a different portion of the sphere to the heliostats to prevent the sphere from melting
Data Source
AI summary
A solar power plant for generating steam is comprised of a spherical shell, the interior of which is sealed from the outside atmosphere and which is mounted adjacent the top of a vertical tower. A plurality of heliostats surrounds the tower and the direct sunrays onto the sphere for heating the same sphere. A spray nozzle within the sphere directs water supplied to it from an external source onto the interior surface of the sphere to create steam. The steam is withdrawn and directed to a turbine or the like for generating electricity. A motor rotates the sphere about its vertical axis thereby regularly exposing a different portion of the sphere to the heliostats to prevent the sphere from melting.