Solar receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated solar power systems face challenges in achieving efficient and continuous operation due to the difficulty in exchanging heat between high-pressure and low-pressure fluids, which limits the system's ability to maintain a consistent heat source and requires complex heat exchange systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of low-pressure solar receivers and thermal storage units, along with fluid flow control devices, allows for fluidic isolation between the solar receiver and turbine, enabling the use of multiple thermal storage systems to maintain a continuous heat source by switching airflow between storage and heat exchange systems, and using valving subsystems to manage fluid pathways between the solar receiver and turbine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct heat exchange between high-pressure and low-pressure fluids is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to the difficulty in exchanging heat between different pressure fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal storage unit as an intermediary component between the solar receiver and turbine. Low-pressure fluid from the solar receiver heats the thermal storage medium, which then transfers heat to high-pressure turbine fluid through a heat exchanger. This mediator approach enables efficient heat transfer between different pressure fluids while maintaining system modularity and reducing direct complexity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple thermal storage systems are implemented to maintain continuous heat source, then operational continuity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for fluid flow control devices and valving subsystems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fluid flow control through a valving subsystem that can switch between different thermal storage units based on operational requirements. The system dynamically routes low-pressure fluid from the solar receiver to appropriate thermal storage media, enabling continuous operation by switching between storage units as needed, while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized control.
3Loss of energy
If fluidic isolation between solar receiver and turbine is implemented, then system efficiency is improved by reducing heat loss, but ease of operation decreases due to the complexity of managing separate fluid pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid pathways into distinct low-pressure and high-pressure systems. The solar receiver operates with low-pressure fluid that heats thermal storage media, while the turbine operates with high-pressure fluid that receives heat from the thermal storage through a heat exchanger. This segmentation prevents heat loss between systems while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated pathways for each pressure level.
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 enables substantially continuous operation of the Brayton cycle without direct heat exchange between high-pressure and low-pressure fluids, reducing system complexity and enhancing overall efficiency by utilizing thermal storage for periods of low sunlight and optimizing heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a first solar receiver includes a low pressure fluid chamber configured for operating at pressures up to 2 atmospheres, and comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an opening for receiving concentrated solar radiation; concentrated solar radiation received through the opening passes through the segmented wall and the transparent objects to pass into the low pressure fluid chamber and impinge upon the solar absorber
Implementation Method 2
concentrated solar radiation received through the opening passes through the segmented wall and the transparent objects to pass into the low pressure fluid chamber and impinge upon the solar absorber
Implementation Method 3
Heat from the low-pressure fluid heated by the solar receiver can be transferred to a relatively high-pressure fluid, which can be used to power a gas turbine
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.