Solar receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar particle receiver designs face challenges in controlling particle residence time as a function of particle size, leading to inefficient heating and chemical conversion, particularly for larger particles, and suffer from particle deposition on the reactor window, which reduces efficiency and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A solar receiver design featuring a chamber with a conical inlet section and a cylindrical outlet section, creating a vortex flow that promotes aerodynamic classification, allowing larger particles to be retained longer and reducing deposition on the window through a unique flow field configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If particles are directly irradiated with concentrated solar radiation through an open aperture, then heating efficiency and temperature achievement are improved, but particle residence time control as a function of particle size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic flow control through the swirl generator to adjust particle residence time. The swirling flow creates different trajectory lengths for particles of various sizes, allowing larger particles to remain in the heating zone longer while smaller particles pass through more quickly, thus dynamically controlling residence time as a function of particle size while maintaining direct solar irradiation heating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a fluid stream (hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism) to carry particles through the heating zone. The fluid flow rate and swirl intensity can be adjusted to control particle trajectories and residence times, enabling size-dependent residence time control without compromising the direct irradiation heating efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If larger particles are processed in the solar receiver, then thermal capacity and energy storage capability are improved, but heating rate and kinetic efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The swirling flow dynamically adjusts particle residence time based on size. Larger particles with higher thermal capacity are retained longer in the heating zone where they receive concentrated solar radiation, allowing them to achieve adequate heating despite their lower heating rate compared to smaller particles
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a temporal dimension to particle processing by creating size-dependent residence times. Larger particles spend more time in the heating zone while smaller particles spend less time, compensating for the lower heating rate of larger particles through extended exposure duration
3Temperature
If conventional particle receiver designs are used, then particle heating is achieved, but particle deposition on the reactor window increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swirling flow creates dynamic particle trajectories that prevent deposition on the reactor window. The centrifugal forces and spiral motion keep particles suspended and directed toward the outlet rather than allowing them to settle on the window surface, thus eliminating the harmful deposition effect while maintaining effective particle heating
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 design effectively extends the residence time of larger particles and minimizes particle deposition on the window, enhancing the solar-to-chemical efficiency and reducing operational costs by maintaining larger particles within the reactor for longer periods.
Implementation Method 1
the flow field may promote aerodynamic classification to control residence time distribution of the particles within the chamber as a function of particle size
Implementation Method 2
A solar receiver design featuring a chamber with a conical inlet section and a cylindrical outlet section, creating a vortex flow
Implementation Method 3
exposing heat absorbing particles to concentrated solar radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A solar receiver (10) for exposing heat absorbing particles to concentrated solar radiation. The solar receiver (10) comprises a chamber (13) having an aperture (15) through which concentrated solar radiation can be received within the chamber. An inlet means (31) is provided for introducing an inflow comprising solar absorbing particles into the chamber (13). An outlet means (33) is provided for discharge of an outflow from the chamber (13). The inlet means (31) communicates with the chamber (13) for introduction of the inflow into a first section (41) of the chamber (13) in opposed relation the aperture (15). The outlet means (33) communicates with a second section (42) of the chamber (13) disposed between the first section (41) and the aperture (15), wherein fluid flow from the inlet means (31) to the outlet means (33) is exposed to concentrated solar radiation received within the chamber (13). The first section (41) is divergent in a direction towards the aperture (15), and the inlet means (31) is configured to introduce the inflow tangentially into the divergent first section.