Solar Chimney With External Collector and Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar chimneys face limitations in generating power consistently, as they rely on sunlight and are not effective during nighttime, and existing designs lack efficiency in harnessing solar energy for continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
The solar chimney system concentrates solar radiation using a reflector or lens to heat air through a heat exchanger, allowing for updraft generation both day and night by using a reservoir with compartments for heat transfer fluid storage and a dual collector setup, enabling continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solar chimney relies on direct sunlight heating, then it can generate power during the day, but it cannot operate during nighttime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing thermal energy in the form of heated rocks or phase change materials during the day before sunlight is available. This stored thermal energy is then utilized during nighttime to maintain the temperature differential required for chimney operation, enabling continuous power generation without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing thermal energy storage mechanisms that maintain elevated temperatures in the chimney structure during nighttime. This parameter change allows the temperature differential between the chimney interior and exterior to be sustained, enabling the convective current to continue flowing and driving the turbine during dark periods.
2Productivity
If solar radiation is concentrated into a high-intensity beam, then heating efficiency improves, but the system becomes more complex with additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar collection function with the thermal storage function by integrating the concentrated solar radiation heating directly into the rock bed or phase change material storage system. This combination eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers and intermediate heat transfer systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high heating efficiency through concentrated solar beams.
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 configuration allows for the generation of power during both day and night, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar energy conversion into usable work by maintaining a consistent heat source through thermal energy storage and dual collector operation.
Implementation Method 1
The solar chimney of the present invention concentrates incident solar radiation into a high-intensity beam which can be directed or focused onto a collector
Implementation Method 2
Solar radiation from outside the chimney is concentrated by a reflector, or its equivalent, and passes through an aperture in the chimney wall
Implementation Method 3
The concentrated solar radiation impinges on a collector which distributes absorbed heat to a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
Air in the chimney is heated by convection, due to the temperature difference between the heat exchanger and the surrounding air
Implementation Method 5
The concentrated solar radiation impinges on a collector which distributes absorbed heat to a heat exchanger, also located within the chimney
Implementation Method 6
The heating of the air produces an updraft in the chimney. The updraft comprises a stream of moving air which can be used to perform useful work
Implementation Method 7
Air in the chimney is heated by convection, due to the temperature difference between the heat exchanger and the surrounding air
Implementation Method 8
During the day, heat transfer fluid is pumped from the reservoir, and into a solar collector, where the fluid absorbs heat from solar radiation
Implementation Method 9
Heat absorbed by the collector is conveyed to the heat exchanger, either with a solid heat conductor, or by a heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 10
The fluid, which has given up some of its heat to the heat exchanger, but which is still relatively hot, is returned to the reservoir, and is stored in a different compartment from the one from which the fluid was initially withdrawn
Implementation Method 11
During the night, heat transfer fluid is conveyed directly from the reservoir into the heat exchanger in the chimney
Data Source
AI summary
A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.