Solar receiver
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated solar power systems face limitations in efficiency and durability due to high solar radiation concentration factors, leading to thermal degradation, material limitations, and high thermal losses, which reduce the lifespan and performance of solar receivers.
Innovation Solution
A solar receiver design featuring a rotating heat-absorbing solid body with movable absorbing elements, including conduits or solid absorbers, that periodically exposes different portions to varying solar radiation intensities, promoting efficient heat absorption, transfer, and cooling, while using materials with high thermal tolerance and absorption properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high solar radiation concentration factors are used, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but thermal degradation and material limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the absorbing body rotatable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to incident solar radiation. This dynamic movement enables the system to handle high concentration factors (up to 10,000) by continuously moving the absorbing body through the concentrated radiation beam, preventing thermal degradation at any single location while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.
2Productivity
If high solar radiation concentration factors are used, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but thermal losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the continuity of useful action principle by ensuring continuous movement of the absorbing body through the concentrated solar radiation beam. This continuous motion ensures that the absorbing body is constantly exposed to fresh radiation while simultaneously being cooled by the working fluid, maintaining high energy conversion efficiency and minimizing thermal losses through continuous heat extraction.
3Device complexity
If stationary absorbing bodies are used, then device complexity is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing rotation of the absorbing body, which dramatically improves heat transfer efficiency. The rotational movement ensures continuous exposure to concentrated solar radiation while maintaining optimal thermal contact with the working fluid, achieving superior heat transfer performance that justifies the added mechanical complexity of the rotation 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 design allows for higher solar radiation concentration factors up to 10,000, enhancing energy conversion efficiency and reducing thermal stress on materials, thereby increasing the lifespan and performance of solar receivers.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-absorbing solid body... The incident solar radiation heats at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body
Implementation Method 2
The heat from the receiving material is then usually transferred to a working fluid via processes such as conduction and/or convection
Implementation Method 3
The heat from the receiving material is then usually transferred to a working fluid via processes such as conduction and/or convection
Implementation Method 4
periodically exposes different portions to varying solar radiation intensities, promoting efficient heat absorption, transfer, and cooling, while using materials with high thermal tolerance and absorption properties
Data Source
AI summary
A solar receiver for converting solar radiation into thermal energy. The solar receiver includes a heat-absorbing solid body, a fluid system to provide a flow of working fluid proximate to the heat-absorbing solid body, and a movement device to move the heat-absorbing solid body such that one or more surfaces of the heat-absorbing solid body are periodically exposed to incident solar radiation. The incident solar radiation heats a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid. The at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body is configured to promote absorption of incident solar radiation, promote transfer of heat from the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body to the working fluid, promote cooling of the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body, or promote any combination thereof.