Rotating Solar Receiver with Spiral Guide to Reduce Particle Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar radiation receiver devices for solar thermal power plants are costly and inefficient due to particle loss and heat transfer medium leakage, particularly at high temperatures and during thermal expansions, which affects the size of the collecting ring and insulation required.
Innovation Solution
A solar radiation receiver device with a container oriented at an acute angle to the direction of gravity, featuring a reduced collecting ring and improved sealing, using a tangentially arranged tube for particle collection and negative pressure suction, and spiral guide elements to reduce particle abrasion and dust formation, thereby minimizing particle loss and insulation needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional collecting ring is used for particle discharge, then particles can be collected and discharged, but particle loss and heat transfer medium leakage occur particularly at high temperatures and during thermal expansions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sealing approach by using a spiral guide element that actively directs particles along a controlled path into the discharge opening, rather than relying on passive sealing. The spiral structure creates a self-sealing effect where particles are guided to enter the discharge opening tangentially, preventing leakage without requiring complex sealing mechanisms between rotating and stationary parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral guide element acts as an intermediary between the rotating container and the stationary discharge device. It provides a transition zone that guides particles from the rotating frame to the stationary discharge opening, reducing direct contact and potential leakage points while maintaining particle flow control.
2Loss of substance
If a large collecting ring is used to prevent particle loss, then particle retention improves, but the size of insulation required and the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enlarging the collecting ring to prevent particle loss, the patent uses a spiral guide element that actively directs particles into the discharge opening. This inverts the approach from passive containment (large ring) to active guidance (spiral structure), reducing the required size of the collecting ring while improving particle retention through controlled flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral guide element changes the flow parameters of particles by creating a tangential entry path into the discharge opening. This parameter change in particle trajectory and velocity distribution improves particle retention and reduces loss without requiring an increase in the collecting ring size.
3Productivity
If the container is oriented horizontally to facilitate particle flow, then particle distribution improves, but heat losses increase due to larger surface area exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a concentrated discharge zone at a specific location on the container rather than distributing discharge across the entire surface. The spiral guide element focuses particle flow into a localized discharge opening, maintaining efficient particle flow while minimizing the surface area exposed to heat losses.
4Loss of substance
If a seal is used between the rotating container and stationary discharge device, then particle loss is reduced, but thermal expansion and high temperature effects complicate the sealing design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the sealing concept by eliminating the need for traditional seals between rotating and stationary parts. Instead of sealing to prevent particle loss, the design uses a spiral guide element that actively directs particles into the discharge opening, with the container's own rotation and the spiral geometry providing the sealing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral guide element serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the rotating container and stationary discharge device without requiring direct sealing contact. It provides a smooth transition path for particles while the container's rotation and the spiral geometry inherently prevent particle escape, simplifying the sealing mechanism.
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 solution reduces particle loss and insulation requirements, enhances efficiency by minimizing heat transfer medium leakage and thermal losses, and lowers operational costs through reduced material usage and improved heat management.
Implementation Method 1
The container is rotatable about a rotational axis by means of a rotary drive device of the solar radiation receiver device such that the heat transfer medium is guided along an inner wall of the container, forming a heat transfer medium film
Implementation Method 2
The inner wall of the container has a friction-promoting device
Implementation Method 3
an aperture opening for the entry of solar radiation at one of the ends
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a solar radiation receiver apparatus (110) for heating a heat transfer medium (210) in a solar thermal power plant (100), comprising a container (200) with an outer wall (206) and an interior (208), a feeding device (300) for the heat transfer medium (210), a discharge device (400), and an aperture (416) for admitting solar radiation, the container (200) being rotatable about a rotary shaft (216), and the heat transfer medium (210) forming a heat transfer medium film (212). The feeding device (300) has a front wall (302) with an inlet (304), and a rear wall (308) facing the interior (208) of the container (200), and the discharge device (400) includes at least one device (402) which limits a loss of heat transfer medium (210) from the discharge device (400).