Siphon-Driven Coolant Loop for Trough Reflector Solar Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trough reflector systems with solar cell receiver assemblies face challenges in cooling due to high temperatures, requiring complex and energy-intensive coolant loops, especially in Vertical Axis Trough Reflector systems, which experience movement of cooling channel ports and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of siphon pressure to drive coolant through cooling channels by maintaining open supply and discharge reservoirs at different elevations, eliminating the need for cooling channel pumps and reducing the complexity and energy consumption of the coolant loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional coolant loops with pumps are used to cool solar cell arrays in trough reflector systems, then the solar cells can be cooled effectively, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pumping function from the coolant loop system by eliminating pumps entirely. Instead of using mechanical pumps to drive coolant flow, the system uses gravity-driven flow through elevated coolant reservoirs that naturally circulate coolant through the cooling channels via pressure differentials created by elevation changes, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant loop system serves itself by using the weight of the coolant in elevated reservoirs to create the driving force for circulation. The system automatically regulates its own flow through pressure-balanced design where the hydrostatic pressure from the elevated reservoirs naturally pushes coolant through the cooling channels and returns it to the reservoirs without requiring external mechanical intervention
2Temperature
If pumps are used to drive coolant through cooling channels, then adequate cooling flow is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system with a gravity-based hydraulic system. Instead of using electric motors and mechanical pumps to drive coolant flow, the system uses the gravitational force acting on the coolant in elevated reservoirs to create continuous circulation through the cooling channels, eliminating the need for external energy input while maintaining adequate cooling flow
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is self-powered by the potential energy stored in the elevated reservoirs. The system automatically converts gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy of the flowing coolant, creating a self-sustaining circulation loop that cools the solar cells without consuming additional electrical energy
3Illumination intensity
If cooling channel ports are moved to track the sun in vertical axis trough reflector systems, then solar concentration is optimized, but the coolant loop complexity increases due to rotating seals and additional pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotating seal component from the coolant loop system by using gravity-driven flow through elevated reservoirs. This allows the cooling channels to be positioned at the focal point of the trough reflector and moved with the reflector to track the sun, while the coolant supply and return lines remain stationary and connected to fixed reservoirs, eliminating the need for complex rotating seals
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 solution simplifies the coolant loop design, reduces fabrication and maintenance costs, and enhances the reliability of trough reflector systems by utilizing gravity-driven coolant flow, effectively managing thermal loads without the need for rotating seals or additional pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention reveals an arrangement of coolant loop components that enables the utilization of siphon pressure to drive coolant through cooling channels
Implementation Method 2
If the free surface of coolant in the coolant supply reservoir is higher (greater gravitational potential energy) than the free surface of the coolant in the coolant discharge reservoir (lower gravitational potential energy)
Implementation Method 3
As the coolant circulates around the coolant loop, it accepts thermal energy from solar cells and then transfers that energy through a heat exchanger into an external thermal reservoir
Implementation Method 4
transfers that energy through a heat exchanger into an external thermal reservoir
Implementation Method 5
Solar radiation incident on the solar cells generates electricity directly, without the need for a steam-cycle generator
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant loop for trough-reflector solar energy conversion systems has open coolant supply and discharge reservoirs. Coolant is driven by siphoning pressure through cooling channels which have attached solar cell arrays. The siphoning pressure is produced by maintaining the free surface of coolant in a coolant supply reservoir at a higher elevation than the free surface of coolant in a coolant discharge reservoir. The cooling channels have air evacuation and air inlet ports to facilitate initiation and termination of siphon-pressure-driven coolant flow. The cooling channels also have in-line flow control valves that respond to control signals generated by coolant temperature sensors.